Xu Simin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Xu Simin (Chinese: 徐四民; pinyin: Xú Sìmín, July 3, 1914 – September 9, 2007) was a pro-Beijing loyalist and magazine publisher based in Hong Kong.[1] He was nicknamed "Big Cannon Xu" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial views.[2] He was known as a staunch supporter of Beijing's policies in Hong Kong.

[edit] Early life

Xu Simin was born in 1914 in Burma (present day Myanmar).[1] Despite his birth in Burma, Xu spent the majority of his life either in mainland China or Hong Kong. Xu attended school at Xiamen University in Fujian province.[1]

[edit] Career

Xu returned to his birthplace, Burma, in the 1940s and founded the New Rangoon News.[1] He returned to Communist China in 1964.[1] Xu finally settled permanently in Hong Kong in 1977. Once in Hong Kong, Xu began publishing The Mirror, a pro-Beijing magazine which supported the policies of the mainland.[1]

Xu was known for his controversial opinions. In 1998, he heavily criticized RTHK, a Hong Kong government run radio station, for being too critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese administrations. Xu urged Hong Kong officials to censor RTHK.[2]

Xu served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a Hong Kong committee which advises China's congress.[2]

Xu Simin died of organ failure on September 9, 2007 in Hong Kong at the age of 93.[2] At Xu's funderal, Gao Siren, Beijing's liaison to Hong Kong praised Xu for his support of Hong Kong's Basic Law and current "one country, two systems" policy.[2] Mourners included high level officials from China and Hong Kong's governments, including the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang, the director of China's Hong Kong and Macau affairs office, Liao Hui, and former Hong Kong leader, Tung Chee-hwa.[2] Wreaths and flowers were sent by Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Wu Bangguo, the head of China's congress.[2]

Xu was buried at Dapeng Bay in the city of Shenzhen, China.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Report: Xu Simin, Beijing loyalist and Hong Kong magazine publisher, dies at 93", Associated Press, International Herald Tribune, 2007-09-09. Retrieved on 2007-09-18. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Hong Kong, Chinese officials bid farewell to Beijing loyalist Xu Simin", Associated Press, International Herald Tribune, 2007-09-17. Retrieved on 2007-09-18. 
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