Jiang Zemin’s criticism of Hong Kong journalists was prophetic

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I refer to your report, “Chinese leadership mourns ‘insurmountable loss’ of Jiang Zemin as former president dies aged 96” (November 30).

Jiang will be remembered as the architect of China’s socialist market economy as his theory of the Three Represents advanced Deng Xiaoping’s visionary economic reform. His flamboyant personality and distinctive diplomatic style broke China out of isolation after the 1989 political turmoil. His legacy was an era of peaceful relations with the West and China’s rising status in international trade, especially after accession to the World Trade Organization.

However, instead of Jiang’s political legacy, I would like to focus on his (in)famous criticism of a Hong Kong journalist over a question he disliked: “too simple, sometimes naive”. He told the gathered journalists to “raise your level of knowledge”, that it was not enough to travel the world and run the fastest.

Jiang’s remark was prophetic of the quality of the news media today. Globally, amid political polarisation, there is growing distrust of the news media. Although the intrusion of politics is partly to blame, a media ecosystem that strives to gain views with eye-catching headlines also renders readers more opinionated but less informed.

For example, Apple Daily, founded by Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, was known for its gossipy reporting style and paparazzi tactics. It gained readers but was also taken to court for libel and infringement of privacy. The tabloid-style newspaper adopted a clear pro-opposition editorial stance, particularly evident during the anti-extradition bill protests.

During the government’s daily press conferences on Covid-19 in Hong Kong, some local journalists asked lengthy questions which made it difficult for the concerned official to organise his thoughts and give a meaningful response. Reporters also tend to ask repetitive questions at press conferences, even when the official has addressed the issue in the opening statement.

When Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced he will request an interpretation of the national security law, he explained in his opening statement that the constitutional protection on the choice of lawyers does not extend to overseas lawyers who are not fully qualified to practise in Hong Kong. However, a question on the same subject was nevertheless put to him. Perhaps journalists need to understand that asking the same question multiple times will not yield the preferred answers, but instead wastes the opportunity to extract information that is of public concern.

Anfield Tam, London

Trudeau missed the mark with China at G20 summit

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came across as being stubborn and having no understanding of the times we live in when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

In response to Xi chiding him for leaking the content of their meeting to the media, Trudeau said, “In Canada, we believe in free and open and frank dialogue … We will continue to look to work constructively together, but there will be things we will disagree on.”

This sounded inane and pointless on the occasion. Perhaps Trudeau was brooding over the case of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who was detained in Canada after an extradition request by the United States, but ultimately released. The Canadian prime minister squandered a good chance to improve his country’s tense relations with China.

On the other hand, Australia’s attitude to China has changed a lot, as evident in Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Xi at the same event. It is clear Australia is looking more broadly to ease the diplomatic rift with China.

Relations between Australia and China spiralled downwards under Scott Morrison’s unfriendly policy towards China when he was prime minister. In response, China imposed trade barriers on Australian wine, coal and other goods. Albanese has proved himself to be more pragmatic.

New Zealand, India, Japan, South Korea and even the US seem keen to improve relations with China. However, the United Kingdom and Canada’s attitude continues to be confrontational. Maybe the young leaders of these two nations haven’t realised they are just pawns in the US’ fight against China.

In the Meng Wanzhou affair, the US used Canada, which in the end lost face. This happened again at the G20 summit.

Li Yanzhou, Sham Shui Po