[Global Network Comprehensive Reporter Zhao Youping and Zhu Mengying] The Hong Kong Security Bureau recently quoted the provisions of the implementation rules of the Hong Kong National Security Law to freeze the assets of three companies related to the "Apple Daily", involving an amount of 18 million Hong Kong dollars. The "Apple Daily" was published as usual on the 21st.
However, Reuters reported on the 21st that Mark Simon, assistant and consultant of Next Media founder Li Zhiying in the United States, revealed to the media that the "Apple Daily" may cease publication within a few days.
"Dongwang" quoted Reuters as saying that Simon claimed that the "Apple Daily" would be forced to close "within a few days" due to the Hong Kong government's freezing of the company's assets under the Hong Kong National Security Law.
He also said that the company was unable to obtain additional funds, and the board of directors will be held on the 21st to discuss how to follow up the incident.
"We originally thought we could last until the end of the month," Simon told Reuters. "It's just getting more and more difficult. Basically (closed) is just a few days away."
According to the "East Net", the "Apple Daily" reported yesterday that the company has only enough cash to operate for a few weeks. The freezing of assets affects capital turnover, and there may be difficulties in paying employees' salaries. The printing of "Apple Daily" is also affected. I intend to write to you today. The Hong Kong Security Bureau seeks to unfreeze part of the assets; if the application fails, it may seek approval from the court and request the cancellation of the relevant freeze notice.
"Sing Tao.com" quoted Bloomberg sources as saying that "Apple Daily" intends to use Taiwan business to launch crowdfunding on GoFundMe.com and PayPal to maintain operations.
The National Security Service of the Hong Kong Police Force took action on June 17 and arrested Zhang Jianhong, Chief Executive Officer of Next Media Group, Zhou Daquan, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and Luo Weiguang, Editor-in-Chief of Apple Daily, Chen Peimin, Vice President, and Zhang Zhiwei, Director of Apple Mobile News Platform5 People, they are suspected of violating Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law "conspiracy to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security".
On the same day, a spokesperson for the National Security Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region stated that he firmly supports the Hong Kong police's law enforcement actions against three companies including Apple Daily Co., Ltd. and five directors of Apple Daily.
The spokesperson pointed out that in accordance with the Hong Kong National Security Law, any institution, organization and individual in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall abide by the Hong Kong National Security Law and other laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region concerning the maintenance of national security, and shall not engage in acts and activities that endanger national security.
The National Security Agency in Hong Kong resolutely supports the police in performing their duties in accordance with the law, and resolutely crack down on any acts that endanger national security in accordance with the law.