5 placed under administrative detention for attacking reporters

Five individuals from China Railway Seventh Group Co, Ltd in Dingyuan County, East China's Anhui Province, have been placed under administrative detention for a period of 7 to 13 days by public security authorities for assaulting two people at a construction site, according to a release by local police on Friday.

Xiaoxiang Morning Herald reported on Thursday that Wang Wenzhi and Cheng Zilong, reporters from the Economy Information Daily affiliated to the Xinhua News Agency, were attacked at the site of the railway construction company.

The police report said that after investigation, it was found that the two were attacked by personnel from the company, who snatched their phones and restricted their personal freedom, resulting in a minor injury to Wang's right palm.

On November 12, the Economy Information Daily published an investigative report, revealing that several construction companies involved in railway construction in Anhui Province were cutting costs by using inferior materials and illegally substituting products. These counterfeit products had performance levels far below design requirements, posing safety risks, the media outlet found.

The assault occurred while Wang and Cheng were returning to Hefei for follow-up reporting.

The All-China Journalists Association said on Thursday that it will continue to closely monitor updates of the incident, maintain communication with the journalists and relevant departments, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of journalists during their reporting.