Civil Liberties

Assault on Hong Kong Publisher Raises Press Freedom Fears

Attack called "professional"

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A violent attack on the billionaire publisher of a prominent Hong Kong political magazine has sparked fears of a further erosion of traditional freedoms and autonomy in the former British colony.

Chen Ping, whose iSun Affairs weekly political news magazine circulates in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Malaysia but is banned in mainland China, was attacked on the streets near the magazine's editorial offices on Hong Kong Island on Monday.

"They attacked me from behind, and then they ran away," said Chen, who was unable to describe his assailants, although he said they appeared "professional."