BEIJING - Reporters from Hong Kong were detained and questioned in Beijing for conducting interviews related to the late Zhao Ziyang. Two of the reporters from Ming Pao left Beijing this morning.

Since learning the news of Zhao Ziyang's death one week ago, Hong Kong newspapers have given the story a lot of attention. Besides having their reporters stationed in Beijing cover the story, they also sent extra personnel to Beijing to conduct interviews. The reporters entered China with their private identity without obtaining Beijing’s permission for the interviews beforehand.

For days the reporters went to Zhao’s courtyard in Fuqiang Alley and to the mourning hall to contact Zhao's family members in hopes of conducting interviews.

The security agents at the entrance of Fuqiang Alley detained two reporters from Ming Pao for two hours. The reporters had used their identity as private citizens. Two reporters of another Hong Kong newspaper were also detained.

Security agents went to the hotel where reporters of Ming Pao were staying and interrogated the two reporters throughout the morning. The two reporter left Beijing for Hong Kong before noon. It is unknown whether two reporters from another newspaper have left Beijing. Hong Kong reporters stationed in Beijing have said that they dare not go to Fuqiang Alley to conduct interviews.