China: Urgent Concern for the Safety of Minnie Chan Following Disappearance in China
The South China Morning Post journalist has not been heard from since the end of October
Location: China, Beijing
Date: November 30, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom are concerned and alarmed by the disappearance of Minnie Chan, a seasoned journalist with the South China Morning Post (SCMP), following her attendance at a security conference in Beijing. Her unexplained absence since late October 2023 raises serious questions about her safety and well-being. We demand immediate and transparent action from the Chinese authorities in the reporter's case. Her sudden disappearance is not only a matter of concern for her friends, family, and colleagues but also a critical issue for press freedom and the safety of journalists more broadly. We call for a thorough investigation into Minnie Chan's whereabouts and circumstances, insisting on her safe and immediate return to Hong Kong.
On November 30, 2023, Kyodo News reported that Minnie Chan, a journalist with the South China Morning Post (SCMP), has been missing since her attendance at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing in late October 2023. The last story she published from the forum was on November 2, and attempts to contact her have been unsuccessful, sparking concerns that she may have been detained by Chinese authorities.
Unnamed friends expressed worries about a potential investigation, and colleagues at SCMP have initiated inquiries with their editors about her whereabouts. Chan's last Twitter post was on October 20, and conflicting claims surround subsequent posts on her personal Facebook page. A friend, Andrei Pinkov, disputed a Facebook post from November 11, stating that Chan did not make the post.
Minnie Chan is a highly respected journalist known for her insightful reporting on China's military and has been with SCMP since 2005. The SCMP, owned by Alibaba, claims that Chan is on personal leave in Beijing, stating that her family has informed them she is safe but needs time to handle a private matter.
Despite the SCMP's reassurances, concerns persist considering recent incidents involving journalists being detained in mainland China. The Chinese government recently released Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei after over three years of unclear espionage charges, and Haze Fan, a Bloomberg News employee detained in 2020, was released last year.
Over the past few years, numerous journalists and advocates for press freedom have experienced instances of abduction or covert incommunicado detentions, only to later be confirmed as being held in custody by Chinese authorities. This trend includes the case of publisher Gui Minhai, who was kidnapped in Thailand in 2015, journalist Yang Zewei, abducted in Laos in May 2023, and publisher Lü Hua, whose detention was disclosed four months after his disappearance in April 2023.
Chan's disappearance also follows a similar instance in 2022 when another SCMP journalist lost contact in China for several months, prompting concerns among colleagues about a possible detention. According to Al Jazeera, the reporter, whose contributions were absent from SCMP for nine months, eventually returned to the newspaper but transitioned to a different section covering less politically sensitive topics. Whether the reporter remains employed at SCMP is uncertain, given their extended period of inactivity. In consideration of privacy, Al Jazeera opted not to disclose the identity of the reporter. When asked about this journalist’s absence, The SCMP chose not to address the "speculative reporting" regarding the second reporter, stating privacy considerations.
The secrecy and sudden disappearance of these SCMP reporters underscores the challenges faced by journalists in Hong Kong's changing media landscape. Since the introduction of the national security law in 2020, Hong Kong's media environment, once known for free press, has been significantly stifled. The SCMP, once a vibrant source of independent reporting, has seen a shift in its editorial stance since being bought by tech giant Alibaba. Critics argue it has become less critical of the Chinese government.
The deteriorating media landscape in Hong Kong and the aggressive actions of Chinese authorities, who increasingly detain journalists without cause pose a threat to journalists' safety, limiting their ability to work without fearing for their well-being.
In the wake of Minnie Chan's mysterious disappearance, the Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom demand immediate answers and call for transparency from Chinese authorities. Chan's disappearance is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying pattern of journalists facing covert detentions and abductions in mainland China. We urge the international community to demand a thorough investigation into Minnie Chan's disappearance and to support efforts to ensure her safety.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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