NY Times reporter forced to leave China over visa

Associated Press ^ | Dec. 31, 2012 6:23 PM EST

[Olog-hai]

A New York Times correspondent who has worked in China for more than a decade was forced to leave the country on Monday because his visa wasn’t renewed, the newspaper said.

Chris Buckley, a 45-year-old Australian, flew to Hong Kong with his family amid increased pressures on foreign journalists by the Chinese government, which is concerned over media scrutiny of its top leaders. …

[Olog-hai]

How sad. No more hobnobbing with Hsinhua.

[GeronL]

ha ha

[GeronL]

Hong Kong is still China

[Tainan]

"Hong Kong is still China"

Mucho difference. No matter what you chose to believe.

[MasterGunner01]

Gosh, even the Chicoms can't stand the commies at the NYT. Who'd have thought it?

[arasina]

"Hong Kong is still China"

Mucho difference. No matter what you chose to believe.

What is the difference? Is Hong Kong not under Communist rule? I am genuinely interested, because I know someone (a liberal) who believes that China's "middle class" is expanding and that they actually have freedom. He based his statement on his experience doing business with people in Hong Kong.

[Tainan]

Yes, 'technically' HK is under the PRC rule. However, it is governed more as an autonomous area than a true province of the PRC.
Much looser rules as to movement, taxes, business and commerce and travel with HK papers.
Immigration into HK is very strictly controlled and usually not allowed - unless you have big money.

Yes, Chinas' middle-class is expanding. But the comparison to HK is truly wrong. Different set of rules - different set of circumstances. There is a certain amount of what is considered "freedom" in the PRD - but only when one compares it to the tyrannical lock-down that existed a few years back. It still is not a "free" place, PRC, by any strecth of the term.
To say the business situation in China is equivalent to the same in HK is delusional. A condition which affects a lot of "Sinophile" round-eyes who come over here.

[Procyon]

Perspective: According to the Heritage Foundation index of Economic Freedom Hong Kong is #1 in the world. Mainland China is #138. The PRC may have a lot of rich people but it is a plutocracy and highly corrupt. Wealthy families dream of emigrating to freer places like the U.S. (#10) so their children will have more opportunities.

[arasina]

Thank you for the information and your knowledgeable perspective.

[ken5050]

Anyone know if the Chicoms block nytimes.com?

[arasina]

Anyone know if the Chicoms block nytimes.com?

I don't know but would assume they do.

Did you happen to read this story on FR last week? Plea for help from Chinese labor camp worker paid $1.61 per MONTH found stuffed in Oregon woman's Halloween decorations