U.S.-Led Coalition Slams ‘Attacks’ on Hong Kong Press Freedom

A U.S.-led group of democracies condemned China for “suppression” of Hong Kong’s press freedoms in a statement that was “firmly rejected” by China, highlighting lingering tensions over human rights.

Calling themselves the Media Freedom Coalition, 21 countries including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, Canada and Japan said in a statement released by the State Department on Tuesday that they “express their deep concern at the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities’ attacks on freedom of the press and their suppression of independent local media in Hong Kong.”