At around 5:00 am (Beijing Time) on October 26, the New York Times Published an article entitled "Billions in Hidden Riches for Family of Chinese Leader" (总理家人隐秘的财富).
According to several overseas media outlets, including the BBC, South China Morning Post, and Reuters, when asked about the article at a regularly-scheduled press conference on October 26, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Hong Lei (洪磊) said: "Some reports smear China and have ulterior motives."When asked why the New York Times' website was no longer accessible in China, Hong replied: "China manages the internet in accordance with laws and rules."
These screenshots of show that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not include either exchange in its transcript of the press conference.
Chinese: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/gxh/tyb/fyrbt/t982729.htm
English: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw/s2510/t983256.htm
Overseas media then reported that at a regularly scheduled press conference on October 29, Hong Lei had the following comments when asked about the report and Wen's decision to hire lawyers to fight the New York Times' claims:There are always some voices in the world that do not want to see China develop and become stronger, and they will try any means to smear China and Chinese leaders and try to sow instability in China.
Your scheme is doomed to failure.
Premier Wen Jiabao's family has entrusted lawyers to release a statement and will continue to clarify the report.Once again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not include these comments in the transcripts it published on its website.
Chinese: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/gxh/tyb/fyrbt/t983269.htm
English: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw/s2510/t983693.htm
