Journalists covering the Chinese foreign minister’s tour of the Pacific say they have been blocked from filming or accessing events, and that not a single question from a Pacific journalist has been allowed to be asked of Wang Yi. The allegations raise serious press freedom concerns and alarm about the ability of Pacific journalists to do their jobs, particularly as the relationship between the region and China becomes closer. The Pacific Islands Forum intervened to allow the filming to continue, but Movono said that Chinese officials stood in front of the camera, trying to block the shot. Movono said that the joint press conference from Wang and Bainimarama on Monday afternoon was managed by Chinese officials. There were only two questions permitted, one from a Solomons journalist to the islands’ foreign minister, and one from Chinese media to Wang.

Source: The Guardian May 31, 2022 18:20 UTC