New York, June 23, 2003—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the Chinese government's decision to ban the bimonthly business news magazine Caijing. According to Reuters, the June 20 edition of the influential magazine was barred from newsstands last week. Although the magazine reached subscribers during the weekend, authorities ordered additional copies held at the printers.

While no official reason was given for the banning of the magazine, the June 20 edition contained articles on several taboo topics including a cover story on a bank loan scandal linked to government officials and an article on the impact of SARS. The magazine is published by a government-backed financial think tank, and made waves last month when it ran an interview with SARS whistle blower Dr. Jiang Yanyong.

Caijing is the second publication to be affected by a media crackdown in China. The weekly newspaper Beijing Xinbao was closed earlier this month after running an article that mocked party officials. [Click here for more details]