Released Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong will resume work next Monday, after being held on the mainland for almost three years.
The chief China correspondent for The Straits Times of Singapore, who was freed on February 5 two days ahead of the Lunar New Year, said he originally planned to take a month's leave after his release but later decided to rest for another month. He went to Singapore to discuss his work plans with his company in February.
Ching said he would be based in Hong Kong and write commentaries and analyses on China affairs, but he did not have plans to visit the mainland for reporting work in the near future.
Yesterday morning he returned to The Straits Times' Hong Kong office in Admiralty for the first time since his release, to arrange unhandled letters sent to him during his absence.
'I was away for almost three years and they [colleagues] have not moved my desk,' he said.
The veteran journalist said he was very happy to be back at work. Ching, 58, said he was in fine health but still found he could become easily tired.