The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China is appalled by the violent attack on the Belgian TV crew and calls on the central government to track down and punish those responsible.
“This illegal and brutal act is a disgrace to Henan and to China,” said Jonathan Watts, president of the FCCC. “If the government is serious about the rule of law and opening to the media, the culprits must be caught and punished. There is enough evidence to identify the perpetrators. The central authorities should send a clear message that local governments must not use thugs to intimidate journalists.”
The incident occurred about a month after the government announced new regulations for foreign reporters. According to the new rules, China “adopts a basic state policy of opening up to the outside world” and “protects the lawful rights” of foreign journalists.