RSF protests the visit of press freedom predator Xi Jinping in France
⚡️ “Because 119 journalists are currently detained in Chinese prisons, President Xi Jinping is not a leader like any other. He’s a press freedom predator.” Says Thibaut Bruttin, RSF Assistant Director General, during a special operation in the streets of Paris.
While Beijing considers press freedom defenders to be enemies of the state, the Élysée, official residence of the French President, is rolling out the red carpet for the main predator of journalism in China. On Monday 6 May, Xi Jinping’s first day of official visit, during which he will meet with President Emmanuel Macron, RSF expressed its concern by driving around the French capital, Paris, with a truck displaying the names of journalists detained in Chinese prisons.
France must put pressure on Xi Jinping’s regime and obtain, during this official visit, commitments and guarantees that Beijing will cease its campaign of censorship and repression against journalists. China ranks 172th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index.