Beijing to look into attack on TV pair

Mainland security officials will investigate the assault on two Hong Kong journalists in Beijing on Friday but there is no guarantee anyone will be arrested, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress said yesterday.

Michael Tien Puk-sun said he was told by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing that an explanation would be given after the investigation.

If the men who attacked the journalists "are outsiders then they may be arrested; if they're their own people then maybe not", Tien said.

I told the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office that it should make a public statement after the investigation, but they said they are not the ones to decide whether the incident is of public concern

"They said the officers will only tell the complainant. If no one reported the case they would not have dealt with it at all."

It is now up to the Hong Kong government to pressure Beijing for a proper investigation and explanation, Tien said.

He will be writing to the NPC to call for a follow-up and explanation for the assault on the cameramen outside the home of jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo on Friday.