The Honorable Mr Tsang Yam Kuen,
Chief Executive, HKSAR
Nov 14, 2006
Petition from Ching Cheong’s Family
Ching Cheong was judged to be guilty of espionage in the court of first instance. However, the verdict is full of doubts and evidence so ill-founded that it had invited criticism from the general public. Being Ching Cheong’s family, we are especially hurt as Ching Cheong’s name had been unjustly defamed. Now that the case had reached the critical moment, i.e. the court of appeal is doing their final review, we strongly urge your honor to pass on the discontent of the family and the general public against the first verdict to the central government, and ask the central government to look into the case, especially on the malpractice of the investigation, the lack of proper evidence as well as the unfair handling by the court of first instance, making sure that wrongs are righted, and that Ching Cheong does enjoy fair play in the appeal. If the charge proves to be unfounded, set him free soonest possible.

As the head of the Special Administrative Region, understandably, your honor have to observe the principle of “one country two systems”. However, when a law-abiding citizen of Hong Kong suffers from unjust trial in mainland, would it be the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the SAR, no matter from the legal viewpoint or out of moral reasons, to voice out, to pass on the concern of Ching’s family and the general public to the central government? We believe this active relay of message is totally different from intervening the judiciary in the Mainland, rather, it is an act of protecting the right of Hong Kong citizens’ interacting with the Mainland. It is not just a chance to review any judicial wrongs, but is also a case to demonstrate how a harmonious society can be established.

Ching Cheong had been detained for over one-and-a-half years. His health is getting worse, and needs thorough examination soonest possible. We had put forth a request to have Ching Cheong receive an in-patient check-up, but had not yet received any reply, and this makes us worry. Please kindly reiterate this request on our behalf, to see that Ching Cheong’s health does not deteriorates further.

Your truly,
Ching Cheong’s Family