Attackers Apologise For Beating HK Reporter

Two men who say they attacked Cable TV reporter Chan Ho-fai while he was covering a ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake have admitted responsibility, with one blaming trauma from the 2008 tremor for the violence.

Sichuan authorities arranged for the two men, who were not identified, to come forward and publicly apologise to Chan.

The incident took place after Chan had covered a ceremony at the site of a collapsed school in Dujiangyan. One of the two men said he was "agitated" when he saw Chan reporting on the "scars and memories" of the tragedy.

He said his family members were injured in the earthquake 10 years ago, and he didn't mean to attack the reporter.

The Cable TV journalist accepted their apology and said he hoped both men understood that their actions were uncivilized.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association, and the Hong Kong News Executives Association expressed concern over the incident.

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Patrick Nip, said violence was unacceptable, and Democratic Party lawmaker James To called on the Chief Executive to follow the matter up.

Last updated: 2018-05-12 HKT 10:06