H.E. Lu Shumin, Ambassador
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada
515 St. Patrick Street
Ottawa, ON, K1N 5H3

July 15, 2008

Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is dismayed by the Chinese government's violations of their 2001 pledge for media freedom in Beijing. As recently as July 11, 2008, Li Changchun, the fifth-ranked official in China, was reiterating his government's assurances to "earnestly abide by relevant regulations regarding foreign journalists' reporting activities in the country." Despite this, foreign journalists have been subjected to obstruction, intimidation, violence and death threats in response to unfavourable reporting.

In May, 2007, the Chinese government released a "Service Guide for Foreign Media Coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period," which would be in effect from January 1, 2007, until October 17, 2008. Article 6 of the Service Guide, for instance, promises foreign journalists the ability to freely interview any consenting Chinese organization or citizen.

In a 71-page report released on July 7, 2008, Human Rights Watch detailed how foreign journalists and their sources are facing obstruction when they pursue stories that could embarrass authorities, expose official wrongdoing, or document social unrest. Access to sensitive areas is highly restricted, including prisons, the site of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and Tibet. A government document recovered by Reporters Without Borders reveals that official strategy for dealing with foreign media involves serious obstructions to the free flow of news and information.

As reported by IFEX members, foreign journalists and their sources are facing violence in response to their work in China. Chris Buckley, a Reuters correspondent, was beaten and detained by plainclothes policemen after interviewing Chinese citizens being held at an illegal detention facility in Beijing. One local source for a foreign television journalist was beaten so badly that he had to be hospitalized, and was subsequently placed under house arrest.

CJFE calls on the People's Republic of China to protect freedom of expression as promised in the Service Guide for Foreign Media, and ensure that foreign journalists working in China are able to work without obstruction.

We thank you for your attention and look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Anne Game, CJFE Executive Director

Cc: Mr. Robert Wright, Ambassador to China
The Hon. David Emerson, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs