Last
week, the Xinhua News Agency released the news
of Mr. Ching’s “formal arrest”. Almost at
the same time, some quarters of Hong Kong society
were “supplied” with information of the Ching
case, casting a negative light on his character
and reputation – as if the massive state apparatus
has been mobilized to target, discredit and destroy
a defenseless individual. We are rendered utterly
confused by these events. Mr. Ching has not been
given any opportunity or allowed to exercise
his rights to openly respond or defend himself.
It appears that even before the trial begins,
Mr. Ching has already been tried and convicted
by the media and by the public, which is totally
unfair to him and leads one to seriously doubt
whether he will eventually be given a fair and
open trial at all.
Mr.
Ching’s commitment to a unified China and to
the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”
for governing Hong Kong is widely recognized.
The “crime” he has been allegedly accused of
involves activities related to communication
and interaction across the strait. As seen from
numerous reports, such activities have been taking
place practically on a daily basis and among
a good many people. Whether or not these are
beneficial or detrimental to the national interest
seems now to be open to interpretation. Mr. Ching
has been allegedly accused of taking “money
for spying”, but could the money be fees or
remuneration received for report writing or research?
Mr. Ching has also been allegedly accused of
“revealing state secrets”, but could the yardsticks
involved be open to different interpretation
under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework?
We are not in a position to tell. But we appeal
to the authorities to give this incident appropriate
consideration and if he should be going on trial
to pass a lenient assessment.
We
feel it not justifiable that Mr. Ching has been
detained for a long time in isolation and with
no access to lawyers or family members. Whether
Mr. Ching’s lawful rights are fully respected
appears highly dubious.
There
are many among us who love both our mother country
and Hong Kong and have endeavored through various
means and channels to contribute what we can
towards helping our motherland to become a modern
and civilized society. But the above developments
have made us very confused, depressed and disappointed.
We feel this deserves the state authorities’
attention.
We
sincerely hope that our mother country would
recognize Mr. Ching’s long time love for the
country and ensure that this incident is speedily
resolved and he is returned home soon.
