At 4 a.m. on April 12, four intruders barged into the printing shop for the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times, smashing several computers, printing press equipment, and tossing construction debris onto the machines before fleeing in a white van.
Police officers led by two teams conducted an investigation at the scene after receiving a call about the attack. Officials told staff that the crime department has taken over the case.
This is the fifth time the printing plant has been attacked. In November 2019, four intruders set a fire in the printing warehouse during the peak of the pro-democracy protests that were sweeping Hong Kong. Fortunately, staff present during the attack were able to extinguish the fire soon after, which did not result in a significant loss.
Since Beijing imposed its “national security law” on the China-ruled city, democratic freedom has abruptly declined.
The Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times, which stands to uphold truthful reporting, will continue to speak out for Hong Kong’s freedom. It will never be intimidated.
Recently, vandals also attacked public information stands put up by Falun Gong practitioners with information exposing the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of their faith—a spiritual self-improvement practice that promotes the values of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Falun Gong stands were attacked 10 times in one week.
The timing of all these attacks is not accidental. The connection between the malicious attacks is apparent and suggests a systematic plan organized by an evil force.
The Epoch Times condemns the thugs’ attack. We condemn the evil Chinese Communist Party for damaging democracy and the law.
The targets of these crimes are not limited to the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times and the city’s independent media outlets but also to the basic rights of free speech and free press.
Police investigations into the previous attacks have so far failed to unveil any information. We urge the Hong Kong police to take all measures to investigate the case thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Due to severe damage to the equipment, the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times will temporarily suspend printing and focus on repairing our machines and increasing the printing shop’s security measures.
To meet the public’s hunger for honest information, The Epoch Times Hong Kong edition will make every effort to assist in the repair of the plant and we promise to resume our printing and distribution as soon as possible.
We also ask Hong Kong citizens, Chinese people around the world, and the international community to continue supporting the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times in our shared journey to uphold conscience, freedom, and justice for all.
We will never give up and we will never bow to coercive power.
Virtue has its reward, evil its retribution. Good will eventually triumph over evil.
