Could I add to that, too? Thank you.
I suppose the first thing to say is that the decline in media freedom in Hong Kong has been very rapid and very precipitous. If you look, for example, at the tables from Reporters Without Borders, we see that 10 years ago, Hong Kong was bastion of free speech in the region and very high on the tables. Now, in the most recent 2023 table, it's number 140 worldwide. It's languishing towards the bottom of the table. That reflects what's happened with a very sudden dismantling of what was a very vibrant media landscape.
Jimmy Lai's case and Apple Daily are emblematic of a wider decline. We look at what's happened with Stand News, for example. We also look at what's happened with foreign correspondents being denied visas when they're reporting in ways that the authorities don't like. Also, we look at some media outlets like RTHK, which was once known for its fearless investigations and now has pro-government management.
We've seen that media landscape being completely, utterly changed in a very short space of time.
It also is worth saying that in the last number of months we've repeatedly seen that when there has been criticism coming from UN special rapporteurs or from the Media Freedom Coalition.... There was a very powerful statement from 24 countries in the Media Freedom Coalition over the Christmas period—and we're grateful to Canada for being one of the 24 countries that signed that—expressing concern about the decline in media freedom in Hong Kong. There was a very bombastic response from the authorities claiming that media freedom is alive and well in Hong Kong and flourishing more than ever.
Frankly, that's a black is white statement. It does not bear scrutiny when you look at it. They're repeatedly attempting to claim that it is still a vibrant media landscape, the same way they attempt to claim that they continue to have a rule of law. It simply is not true.