Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council says the closure of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily is a death knell of press freedom in the Chinese territory.
Taiwan’s top China policy-making body made the statement Wednesday night after the pro-democracy tabloid announced the decision to close its doors after midnight. The Apple Daily published its final edition on Thursday, with the headline “Hong Kongers bid a painful farewell in the rain.”
The Mainland Affairs Council condemned China for cracking down on freedom of speech and publication in the former British colony. It also said it is regrettable that Hong Kong’s media has been subject to political persecution and a controversial national security law imposed by Beijing.
The United States, Britain, and the EU have all condemned China and the Hong Kong government for gagging free speech.
Amnesty International says the “forced closure of Apple Daily is the blackest day for media freedom in Hong Kong’s recent history. “