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China rejects journalist appeal China rejects journalist appeal
(about 3 hours later)
A Chinese court has rejected an appeal by a Hong Kong reporter jailed by mainland China on spying charges, his lawyer and family have said. A Chinese court has rejected an appeal by a Hong Kong reporter who was jailed by mainland China on spying charges.
Ching Cheong, chief China correspondent for Singapore's Straits Times, was found guilty of spying for Taiwan and jailed for five years on Thursday. Ching Cheong, chief China correspondent for Singapore's Straits Times, was jailed in August after being found guilty of spying for Taiwan.
Beijing High Court rejected the appeal in a 30-minute hearing his brother Ching Hei, who was in court, said. Beijing High Court rejected his appeal in a 30-minute hearing, his brother Ching Hei said.
The case has sparked criticism in Hong Kong and calls for Ching's release. The case has sparked criticism in Hong Kong, and many human rights groups have called for Ching's release.
Chinese media reported that Ching was found guilty of buying information and passing it to Taiwan's intelligence services over a period of five years from mid-2000 to March 2005. According to Chinese media, Ching was found guilty of buying information and passing it to Taiwan's intelligence services over a period of five years from mid-2000 to March 2005.
State news agency Xinhua said Ching had confessed to the charges, a statement both his family and employers reject.State news agency Xinhua said Ching had confessed to the charges, a statement both his family and employers reject.
There was no consideration for our argument. Therefore, we feel very disappointed but we firmly believe that he is innocent Ching Hei, brother of journalist They say he was in Guangzhou to collect secret papers linked to the former Chinese leader, Zhao Ziyang, who was ousted for opposing the suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in 1989. There was no consideration for our argument. Therefore, we feel very disappointed but we firmly believe that he is innocent Ching Hei, brother of journalist
His wife Mary Lau said her husband had sent her a message via his lawyers calling his conviction unfair. She said he told her that the judge only heard prosecution evidence at the one-day trial. His wife Mary Lau said he was in Guangzhou collecting secret papers linked to the former Chinese leader, Zhao Ziyang, who was ousted for opposing the suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
"He believes himself innocent, and that the verdict was very unfair to him," she said. She has reportedly suggested her husband was set up by an unnamed intermediary.
New appeal consideredNew appeal considered
Speaking outside the courthouse after the appeal was rejected, Ching Hei said that his family found the decision "hard to accept and are shocked". Speaking outside the courthouse after the appeal was rejected, Ching Hei said that his family found the decision "hard to accept".
"The appeal court has only supported the initial court's evidence and verdict. There was no consideration for our argument. Therefore, we feel very disappointed but we firmly believe that he is innocent," Ching Hei added."The appeal court has only supported the initial court's evidence and verdict. There was no consideration for our argument. Therefore, we feel very disappointed but we firmly believe that he is innocent," Ching Hei added.
Xinhua said Beijing's Higher People's Court had ruled that the initial verdict was "a correct application of the law and provided appropriate punishment".
The journalist's family have said they will attempt to lodge another appeal.The journalist's family have said they will attempt to lodge another appeal.
The case has sparked criticism in Hong Kong, with a number of newspapers questioning the legitimacy of the legal proceedings.The case has sparked criticism in Hong Kong, with a number of newspapers questioning the legitimacy of the legal proceedings.
Ching was tried in an unacceptable way on baseless charges Reporters Without Borders Dangers of dissent The Straits Times has appealed to China for leniency for Ching, asking for a sentence reduction.Ching was tried in an unacceptable way on baseless charges Reporters Without Borders Dangers of dissent The Straits Times has appealed to China for leniency for Ching, asking for a sentence reduction.
"We urge that you take into consideration his professional record as a journalist for the Straits Times, and the fact that he is in poor health," Reuters news agency quoted a letter from editor Han Fook Kwang as saying."We urge that you take into consideration his professional record as a journalist for the Straits Times, and the fact that he is in poor health," Reuters news agency quoted a letter from editor Han Fook Kwang as saying.
Media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders, meanwhile, called the sentence "appalling".Media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders, meanwhile, called the sentence "appalling".
"Ching was tried in an unacceptable way on baseless charges," the organisation said in a statement."Ching was tried in an unacceptable way on baseless charges," the organisation said in a statement.
More than 80 journalists and "cyber-dissidents" are currently imprisoned in China, the organisation said.More than 80 journalists and "cyber-dissidents" are currently imprisoned in China, the organisation said.