The former editor of a liberal Hong Kong newspaper, whose sidelining triggered protests over media freedom and Beijing's influence in the territory, is in a critical condition after being stabbed.
Kevin Lau, former editor of the Ming Pao newspaper, was attacked in broad daylight by an unknown number of assailants who escaped on a motorbike in the Chai Wan district where the newspaper's headquarters is located, police said.
"He was conscious, but had injuries to his back and was then sent to hospital," a police spokeswoman told AFP. A government spokesman said Lau was in a critical condition.
Lau was replaced in January by a pro-Beijing editor from Malaysia, prompting protests by staff who feared the move was an attempt to stifle the paper's strong track record of investigative reporting.
The attack comes at a time of growing unease over freedom of the press in the southern Chinese city, with mounting concerns that Beijing is seeking to tighten control over the semi-autonomous region.
Protesters took to the streets again on the weekend over what they said was the erosion of press freedom, and earlier this month two reports from international media watchdogs said self-censorship was becoming commonplace.
Media groups, which have raised concern over a series of sackings of high-profile media figures, called on police to pursue Lau's attackers.
"We strongly condemn violence and urge the police to take action," Hong Kong Journalists Association chairman Sham Yee-lan told AFP.
Lau edited the Ming Pao for two years but was reassigned in January, spurring criticism from staff members at a paper celebrated for its investigative journalism and analysis.
