New Zealand has condemned authorities in Hong Kong and mainland China for their "attacks on freedom of the press" resulting in the "near-complete disappearance of local independent media outlets" in the semi-autonomous city.
Members of the Media Freedom Coalition, including New Zealand, have released a statement on the recent closure of a number of well-known independent media outlets in Hong Kong following the introduction of the national security law in 2020.
"The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their deep concern at the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities’ attacks on freedom of the press and their suppression of independent local media in Hong Kong," the statement says.
"Recent developments include the raid of Stand News offices, the arrests of its staff, and the subsequent self-closure of Citizen News, stemming from concern over the safety of its staff."
Stand News, a pro-democracy outlet, shut down in December 2021 after local officials accused it of publishing content that incited hatred against authorities. Police raided its office, froze assets and arrested a number of senior staff for apparently "seditious publication" offences.
It followed the closure of the high-profile Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper, forced to shut down after it too was raided by police and had its well-known owner Jimmy Lai arrested under the national security law.
A number of democracy protesters and opposition figures have been arrested under China's national security law, which was implemented in 2020 and led some western countries - including New Zealand - to drop their extradition treaties with Hong Kong.
The law provides authorities with incredible power to stamp down on any dissent or resistance and has significantly curtailed free speech in the city. It was introduced following huge pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019.
The Media Freedom Coalition statement - also signed by the likes of Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom - says that since the law's enactment "authorities have targeted and suppressed independent media" in Hong Kong.
"This has eroded the protected rights and freedoms set out in the Basic Law and undermines China’s obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. This has also caused the near-complete disappearance of local independent media outlets in Hong Kong.
"These ongoing actions further undermine confidence in Hong Kong’s international reputation through the suppression of human rights, freedom of speech and free flow and exchange of opinions and information."
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Critics say the national security law and changes made to Hong Kong's electoral system last year have undermined the autonomy promised to the city when it was transferred from Britain to China in 1997 under the 'one country, two systems model'. Before the transfer, in 1984, it was agreed that Hong Kong would continue to have a level of autonomy for 50 years.
But the Chinese Foreign Ministry has previously referred to the Joint Declaration as a "historical document that no longer has any realistic meaning".
The Media Freedom Coalition says "a stable and prosperous Hong Kong" where human rights and freedoms are upheld "should be in everybody's interest".
"We urge Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities to respect freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Hong Kong, in line with the Basic Law and China’s obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration."
In response to the coalition's statement, a spokesperson for the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said the countries were smearing the local government's law enforcement.
"The historical trend of Hong Kong’s transition from chaos to stability and prosperity is irreversible, and any attempt to interfere with Hong Kong affairs and exert pressure on us in the name of press freedom is doomed to failure," a statement said.
The spokesperson went on to claim that the national security law has restored social stability in Hong Kong and protected the freedom of the press "in a safe, stable and law-based environment". They said the number of international journalists in the city has increased.
"Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law where laws shall be enforced. No one should use freedom of the press as a shield for engaging activities disrupting China and Hong Kong or undermining national security and social stability."
In December, following the raid on Stand News, the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong said authorities' actions would "continue to chill the media environment in the city following a difficult year for the city’s news outlets".
It pointed to a recent survey which found "an overall deterioration of working conditions for journalists in Hong Kong", with 71 percent slightly concerned or very concerned about being arrested due to reporting or their opinion pieces.
New Zealand joined the Media Freedom Coalition last March. The group was formed in 2019 with the purpose of supporting journalists, ensuring the free exchange of information and combating restrictions placed on media.
"Freedom of expression, including media freedoms and the right to participate in democratic processes, is a priority for New Zealand's engagement under our International Human Rights Action Plan," Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said at the time.
