Swedish writers strike back at Chinese embassy over criticism of journalist
- Professional union says it backs writer Kurdo Baksi’s campaign in support of Gui Minhai, who cannot leave China
Swedish writers and journalists have hit back at the Chinese embassy in Stockholm’s criticism of a local journalist, in an escalating row over the media’s coverage and portrayal of China.
The response came after the embassy targeted Swedish writer and journalist Kurdo Baksi on Sunday for a third time, accusing him of “distorting and fabricating facts” in an article in Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet about Gui Minhai, a China-born Swedish citizen barred from leaving China.
The attack on Baksi is the latest in more than two dozen statements and remarks by the embassy criticising Swedish journalists and news outlets on a range of coverage since June.
The Swedish Writers’ Union, a professional organisation to promote press freedom, hit back on Monday, defending Baksi.
“The union and its more than 3,000 members are not only behind, but [stand] side by side with Kurdo Baksi in his work to bring home the Swedish citizen Gui Minhai,” the union said.
Two days later, Swedish PEN, a freedom of speech organisation supporting persecuted authors, also condemned the embassy’s attacks on Baksi, with president Jesper Bengtsson calling on Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise the issue with the Chinese ambassador.