BEIJING - A Straits Times reporter arrested in China on charges of spying will have his case referred to the prosecution department within days, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said on Wednesday.
Mr Tsang had brought up the case of Ching Cheong, who was based in Hong Kong, during meetings in Beijing with President Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao.
Mr Ching, 56, was first detained in April in southern China and formally arrested in August. Earlier in December, the Straits Times quoted a Chinese official as saying Mr Ching's investigation and detention period had been extended for one month because of the complexity of the case.
If charged and convicted, Mr Ching could face the death penalty.
