I experienced persistent surveillance while in Ningxia on a reporting trip last week, covering issues related to China’s ethnic Hui miniority. I was followed by three cars with agents in civilian clothing for at least three days. I was also watched at my hotel, although I was not directly intercepted by those following me.
During the course of my reporting, several sources pulled out from pre-arranged meetings, including a university professor and an official at an Islamic school, while a development zone representative became very reluctant to answer basic questions.
I called MFA in Beijing to have the local waiban confirm to an Islamic college official that it was their decision whether they agreed to be interviewed, not dependent on other authorities. The official pretended his bosses were not there and unreachable.
The entire experience was all the more frustrating in that we were striving to hear the authorized version and propaganda on rather non-sensitive topics.
-Brice Pedroletti, Le Monde