"Hong Kong Military Journalist Missing During China Business Trip...Safety Concerns"

South China Morning Post (SCMP)
Hong Kong Leading English Newspaper Reporter
Lost Contact While Covering China Xiangshan Forum

A reporter from the South China Morning Post (SCMP), a leading English-language newspaper in Hong Kong, went missing after traveling on a business trip to Beijing, China, Japanese Kyodo News reported on the 30th of last month.

Kyodo News, citing multiple sources, reported that SCMP's military correspondent Mini Chan went to cover the 10th Xiangshan Forum, a multilateral security conference held in Beijing from October 29 to 31, and then lost contact.

Mini Chan, a military correspondent for the Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post (SCMP). (Photo by Mini Chan)

Those close to reporter Chan expressed concern that Chan might be under investigation by Chinese authorities.

Although a post was made on Chan's social media account on the 1st of last month, they claimed that Chan did not actually make the post.

Chan showed no response to comments on the post either.

In response to Kyodo News' email inquiry about Chan's whereabouts, SCMP replied that "Chan is currently on leave and cannot disclose details as it is a private matter."

Voice of America (VOA) also inquired with the Chinese Embassy in the United States regarding the Kyodo News report but was told that "there is no related information."

The Hong Kong Journalists Association issued a statement that day saying, "The association is very concerned about Chan's safety and has requested SCMP to investigate further."

Reporter Chan wrote articles about China's military crackdown and the sudden dismissal of Defense Minister Li Shangfu. The last article was the Xiangshan Forum report dated October 31.