Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SINGAPORE144
2008-02-06 10:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
SINGAPORE MEDIA CELEBRATE CORRESPONDENT'S RELEASE
how-toVZCZCXRO0567 RR RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHVC DE RUEHGP #0144 0371010 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 061010Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4834 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000144
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV HK SN CH
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE MEDIA CELEBRATE CORRESPONDENT'S RELEASE
REF: GUANGZHOU 72
Classified By: EP Chief Ike Reed. Reasons 1.4(b)(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000144
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV HK SN CH
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE MEDIA CELEBRATE CORRESPONDENT'S RELEASE
REF: GUANGZHOU 72
Classified By: EP Chief Ike Reed. Reasons 1.4(b)(d).
1. (SBU) Singapore media featured prominently China's
decision to parole the Singapore Straits Times' chief China
correspondent Ching Cheong February 5 (reftel). Coverage
included photos of Ching's joyful reunion with his family in
Hong Kong after China's surprise decision to release him just
before Chinese New Year. Ching was arrested in China in 2005
and later convicted of allegedly selling state secrets to
Taiwan. His family had made several requests for his release
because of Ching's various medical conditions. The Straits
Times extensively covered Ching's release in its February 6
edition, with seven different articles about his ordeal and
release. The articles emphasized the efforts of various
individuals and organizations to secure Ching's release,
while noting that the Straits Times had provided legal and
financial support for Ching and his family during his
detention.
2. (C) Comment: While the GOS and government-controlled
Singapore Press Holdings (The Straits Times' parent
organization) likely lobbied China on Ching's behalf
throughout his detention, they did not play up these efforts
in public. Rather, they took a consistently low-key
approach, apparently calculating that publicly confronting
China over Ching,s arrest and conviction might be
counterproductive. End Comment.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV HK SN CH
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE MEDIA CELEBRATE CORRESPONDENT'S RELEASE
REF: GUANGZHOU 72
Classified By: EP Chief Ike Reed. Reasons 1.4(b)(d).
1. (SBU) Singapore media featured prominently China's
decision to parole the Singapore Straits Times' chief China
correspondent Ching Cheong February 5 (reftel). Coverage
included photos of Ching's joyful reunion with his family in
Hong Kong after China's surprise decision to release him just
before Chinese New Year. Ching was arrested in China in 2005
and later convicted of allegedly selling state secrets to
Taiwan. His family had made several requests for his release
because of Ching's various medical conditions. The Straits
Times extensively covered Ching's release in its February 6
edition, with seven different articles about his ordeal and
release. The articles emphasized the efforts of various
individuals and organizations to secure Ching's release,
while noting that the Straits Times had provided legal and
financial support for Ching and his family during his
detention.
2. (C) Comment: While the GOS and government-controlled
Singapore Press Holdings (The Straits Times' parent
organization) likely lobbied China on Ching's behalf
throughout his detention, they did not play up these efforts
in public. Rather, they took a consistently low-key
approach, apparently calculating that publicly confronting
China over Ching,s arrest and conviction might be
counterproductive. End Comment.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD