March 17, 2006

From: The Honorable Xu Ximin

HKSAR Grand Bauhinia Medal Recipient

To: His Excellency, President Xiao Yang
Supreme People’s Court, People’s Republic of China

The Ching Cheong Case should be solved early

Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong, accused of conducting “spy activities,” has been detained in the mainland for a long time. This case has not been resolved as of now. Ching's wife, Lau Man-yee has talked to me about the fact that she has not been allowed to visit her husband, and that she hopes very much that I can help her reflect the matter to the central authorities.

As a veteran journalist, my view concerning this matter is: A journalist's profession is to “get the news as fast as possible,” which to some extent is indistinguishable from “gathering intelligence.” Officials engaged in security work should adopt a careful and cautious attitude. Nobody should be arrested in the absence of incontrovertible evidence. If a certain case cannot be solved over a long period, the reputation of our country's judicial system and rule by law will be affected.

Upon the closure of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference recently, Premier Wen Jiabao told reporters he was saddened by various jobs he had not done well. The last item Wen mentioned was “security.” I greatly hope that Your Excellency, President Jia, can appreciate the feelings of Premier Wen, and resolve the unresolved case of Ching Cheong at an early date. Thank you very much, and wishing you all the best,

[Signed] Xu Ximin,

Member of the First CPPCC,

Recipient of the HKSAR Grand Bauhinia Award,

Recipient of the Gold Medal for Heroes of the Anti-Japan War,

Founding Chairman and President of The Mirror Post .