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US 'Concerned' by Arrest of Hong Kong Publisher

Reuters

   HONG KONG - The U.S. State Department has expressed concern after
   Chinese-ruled Hong Kong arrested publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai, an
   outspoken critic of Beijing, and two pro-democracy activists.

   The arrests come after a period of relative calm following months of
   anti-government protests over perceptions that China is tightening its
   grip on the city, something Beijing denies and blames the West for
   fomenting unrest.

   Lai and veteran democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeung Sum, were
   arrested Friday in the Asian financial hub on charges of illegal
   assembly, drawing condemnation from international rights groups, media
   said.

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