Hong Kong's 'Anti-China' Apple Daily Faces Closure Process

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Hong Kong's leading anti-China media outlet, Apple Daily, has entered the process of shutting down. Apple Daily was noted for its support of Hong Kong's independence and democracy following its return to China.

On the 20th (local time), major foreign media outlets reported, citing statements from Apple Daily's imprisoned owner Jimmy Lai, that "Hong Kong authorities have frozen Apple Daily's assets."

Lai was sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2019 for participating in three illegal assemblies and is also charged with violating the Hong Kong National Security Law. Authorities have also frozen Lai's assets.

Lai's lawyer Mark Simon said, "We thought we could hold out until the end of this month, but it is only getting more difficult," adding, "Fundamentally, (the shutdown) is a matter of days."

Apple Daily is currently unable to conduct banking operations. Simon stated, "Even when newspaper vendors try to deposit payments into our account, they are being rejected."

Apple Daily's parent company, Next Digital, convened a board meeting on the same day to discuss countermeasures.

The Hong Kong Police Force's National Security Department, responsible for enforcing the Hong Kong National Security Law, deployed 500 officers on the 17th to raid Apple Daily's headquarters and froze assets worth HKD 18 million (approximately 2.6 billion KRW).

Additionally, five senior officials were arrested at their homes, and editor-in-chief Ryan Law and another individual were charged under the Hong Kong National Security Law for colluding with foreign forces.

The police stated that Apple Daily violated the Hong Kong National Security Law by publishing over 30 articles requesting foreign sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong government officials.