Carrie Lam voices concerns over violent attack on Hong Kong reporter covering Sichuan earthquake anniversary

Chief executive says reporters, such as Chan Ho-fai, have right to lawful news gathering and personal safety

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The two men apologise to Hong Kong reporter Chan Ho-fai in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province. Photo: Cable TV

Published: 1:29pm, 13 May 2018Updated: 10:55am, 14 May 2018

Hong Kong’s top official has said reporters have a right to lawful news gathering after a journalist from the city was beaten by two men in Sichuan province.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s remarks came after two men apologised to Chan Ho-fai of i-Cable News over the incident on Saturday at a press briefing arranged by Sichuan authorities.

Speaking after her visit to the province, Lam said city officials had “immediately called for an investigation”, contacting the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Office and its Sichuan branch.

She emphasised Hong Kong reporters should be able to work outside the city without fearing for their personal safety.

Chan was covering an event relating to the 10th anniversary of a devastating earthquake in Sichuan. Photo: Cable TV

Lam said mainland Chinese affairs minister Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, also a member of her delegation visiting Sichuan on the 10th anniversary of a devastating earthquake, had contacted the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Office and called for an investigation, while travelling from Chengdu to Yingxiu.

Chan was kicked and beatenon Saturday morning as he was covering the earthquake anniversary outside Juyuan Middle School in Dujiangyan.