Hong Kong film shines light on Japan support for Chinese activists

With approval for local release on hold, '709 Companions' seeks global audience

Veteran Hong Kong journalist Lo King-wah has directed the new documentary "709 Companions" that depicts the ordeal of lawyers targeted by the Chinese government and their families. (Photo provided by Lo King-wah)

KENJI KAWASE, Nikkei Asian Review chief business news correspondent

August 5, 2020 14:00 JST

HONG KONG -- Human rights lawyers in mainland China have long lived under surveillance and fear of detention, especially since Beijing rounded up hundreds of attorneys in the so-called "709 Incident" of July 9, 2015.

Veteran Hong Kong journalist Lo King-wah has directed a new documentary "709 Companions" that depicts what those lawyers and their families have been through. It follows 2017's "709 Fellows" and last year's "709 The Other Shore."