China pressures PH on Manila hostage crisis row

China is urging the Philippines to take substantial measures to resolve the Manila hostage crisis, which left 8 Hong Kong tourists dead three years ago. Xinhua reports Beijing wants Manila to address the concerns of the victims' family members. Survivors and relatives of the victims have been demanding an apology from the Philippine government. They also seek compensation and punishment for the officials responsible for the bungled police operation. "The Chinese government's position on the Hong Kong hostage crisis is consistent and clear. We urge the Philippine government to pay high attention to the requirements and concerns of the families of the victims, take concrete and effective measures and work out a proper solution as soon as possible," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Huan Chunying said. "We support the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) government in staying in close communication and coordination with the Philippine government on this issue. The Chinese side has conveyed to the Philippine side the above position through the diplomatic channel." The issue on the bungled rescue operation in 2010 that left 8 Hong Kong tourists dead were opened anew after several Hong Kong journalists were barred from covering the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit for aggressively asking President Benigno Aquino III about the incident. Aquino then held a meeting with Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung (Leung Chun Ying) to discuss the 2010 incident that severely affected ties between the two countries. Aquino said that both sides are trying to put closure to the issue. He again expressed his condolences and "deepest regret" over the incident but did not make an apology on behalf of the Philippines and explained to Leung that it is contrary to Filipino culture to say sorry for what was the fault of another person, referring to the act of the hostage-taker for this particular incident. ANC HEADSTART, October 9, 2013