BEIJING, January 30, 2014 (AFP) - A New York Times reporter was leaving Beijing Thursday after authorities did not grant him a visa, in a case that comes as Chinese authorities ratchet up pressure on foreign media. "China is forcing out Austin Ramzy today after 6.5 years," Times China correspondent Ed Wong wrote on Twitter. "Sad to be leaving Beijing," Ramzy tweeted. "Hope I can return soon." It comes a month after US Vice President Joe Biden raised the issue of China's treatment of foreign journalists privately with Chinese leaders during a visit to Beijing. Beijing has blocked the websites of both the Times and Bloomberg News after they published investigations in 2012 into the family wealth of former premier Wen Jiabao and President Xi Jinping, respectively. Authorities this week said that Ramzy's journalist visa, which the newspaper applied for in June after he joined from Time magazine, would not be ready before the end of the month, effectively obliging him to leave. The … [Read more...] about New York Times reporter leaves China after visa denial
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Chinese tycoon wants to ‘rebuild’ New York Times
BEIJING - A Chinese tycoon said Monday he is serious about buying the New York Times and wants to work on "rebuilding its credibility and influence" by reforming its award-winning coverage of China. Chen Guangbiao, listed as one of China's 400 richest people and a man known as much for his publicity stunts as his charitable giving, penned an op-ed in the state-run Global Times newspaper headlined: "I intend to buy The New York Times, please don't take it as a joke". "The tradition and style of The New York Times make it very difficult to have objective coverage of China," Chen wrote. "If we could purchase it, its tone might turn around. Therefore I have been involved in discussing acquisition-related matters with like-minded investors." The New York Times has published several award-winning reports on China, including a 2012 investigation into the family wealth of then-premier Wen Jiabao that was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. The paper's website has been blocked ever since in … [Read more...] about Chinese tycoon wants to ‘rebuild’ New York Times
China’s Wen warns of new action in Japan boat row
- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned of further action if Japan fails to release a trawler captain whose arrest this month set off the worst diplomatic row between the two Asian powers in years. In the highest reaction yet from Beijing, Wen demanded the immediate release of the captain who was arrested by Tokyo following a collision between his fishing boat and two Japanese patrol vessels near disputed islands. Japan in turn called Wednesday for high-level talks to resolve the feud but rejected China's claims to the disputed islands in the East China Sea, with Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara saying "there is no territorial issue". The dispute erupted September 7 when the Chinese fishing trawler and Japanese coastguard vessels collided near the islands, which are claimed by Beijing, Tokyo and Taipei and lie near possible oil and gas fields. Japan arrested the captain Zhan Qixiong the following day, sparking fury in Beijing. "I strongly urge the Japanese side to release the skipper … [Read more...] about China’s Wen warns of new action in Japan boat row
Claims of hacking New York Times ‘groundless’: China
BEIJING, Jan 31 - China on Thursday dismissed accusations that it had hacked into the system of the New York Times, in a cyberattack the paper linked to its expose of the wealth amassed by the family of Premier Wen Jiabao. Photo: Reuters "The competent Chinese authorities have already issued a clear response to the groundless accusations made by the New York Times," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing. Asked about cyberspying and hacking accusations made against China in general, he said: "To arbitrarily assert and to conclude without hard evidence that China participated in such hacking attacks is totally irresponsible. "China is also a victim of hacking attacks. Chinese laws clearly forbid hacking attacks, and we hope relevant parties takes a responsible attitude on this issue." The New York Times earlier announced it had fallen victim to hackers and said they were possibly connected to China's military. The hackers had over the past four months … [Read more...] about Claims of hacking New York Times ‘groundless’: China
Germany, China urge rapid action on Iran resolution
Germany and China urged rapid approval of a UN draft resolution that would impose sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program after S. Africa surprised major powers by proposing a softening of the document's wording. The proposed resolution, designed to pressure Iran to halt its uranium enrichment work, would put in place an embargo on Iranian arms exports and freeze financial assets abroad of 28 individuals, groups and companies. It is a follow-up to a previous resolution adopted by the Security Council in December and was expected to be voted on this week after Germany and permanent council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States agreed on the text. But South Africa, the current chair of the Security Council, has called for all key sanctions proposed by major powers, including an arms embargo and financial bans on an Iranian state bank and the Revolutionary Guard, to be dropped. Although the original draft could probably be adopted by the Security … [Read more...] about Germany, China urge rapid action on Iran resolution