China dismisses concern for HK freedom after 'Apple Daily' closure

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday rejected comments by US President Joe Biden that the closure of Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper signalled intensifying repression by Beijing in the semi-autonomous city.

Biden said on Thursday Apple Daily's demise was a "sad day for media freedom". Other foreign officials also expressed concern that it represented a further stifling of freedoms in Hong Kong, a trade gateway and international financial centre.

Apple Daily had been a thorn in Beijing's side, mixing pro-democracy discourse with celebrity gossip and investigations...