Ex-Peninsula Daily News reporter ousted by Chinese government

New York Times correspondent Austin Ramzy with schoolchildren before he was ordered out of China. — The Associated Press

New York Times correspondent Austin Ramzy with schoolchildren before he was ordered out of China. — The Associated Press

PORT ANGELES — Former Peninsula Daily News reporter Austin Ramzy, now a New York Times journalist, was forced to leave China on Thursday after Beijing refused to renew his journalist work visa.

The Chinese government has been displeased with the Times since it reported in late 2012 that close family members of former Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao had amassed great wealth during Wen’s time in office.

The newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize for the expose.

‘Sad to be leaving’

“Heading out shortly and wanted to say thanks for all the kind thoughts,” Ramzy, 39, tweeted from Beijing Capital International Airport.

“Sad to be leaving Beijing. Hope I can return soon.”

Ramzy tweeted the following in a later transmission from Taipei, the capital of Taiwan:

“Arrived. And greeted by some hard-working gentlemen from the Apple Daily. Happy New Year, everyone.”

Apple Daily is a tabloid printed in Taiwan.

Ramzy covered Port Angeles city government and general-assignment topics in 2001 when he wrote for the PDN.

An Iowa native, he graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont with a degree in Asian studies.

Ramzy completed journalism school at the University of California, Berkeley.

He became a Beijing correspondent for Time magazine in 2007 before being recently hired by The New York Times.

Ramzy is the second Times correspondent in 13 months forced to leave China because of that government’s failure to process a visa application, according to the newspaper.

The government also has refused to issue a new journalist visa to several Bloomberg News employees after Bloomberg published a report on investments held by political figure Xi Jinping’s extended family.

Xi later became head of the Chinese Communist Party.

________

Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Two ghosts dangle from a tree in the breeze in the 200 block of West 10th street in Port Angeles. Halloween events are scheduled today throughout the North Olympic Peninsula. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Ghostly visions

Two ghosts dangle from a tree in the breeze in the 200… Continue reading

Port of Port Angeles awarded $9.4M in funds

Will help move toward zero-emission goals

Potential defense workload changes could have ripple effects

Clallam, Jefferson counties brace for decision, expected in January

Leaders discuss rural reproductive health

Policy, funding and workforce shortages considered

There were no serious injuries after a two-car collision pushed a Chevrolet pickup truck into the corner of the Emporium building at the corner of Eighth and Cherry streets in Port Angeles. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Two-car collision pushes truck into building

A Chevrolet pickup truck collided with a building following… Continue reading

Two Totem Poles were missing from The Quileute Tribe’s 101 Building in Forks.
Sheriff’s office seeking information about missing totem poles

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is looking for information about… Continue reading

A recent snow is visible from Port Angeles on the Klahhane Ridge on Tuesday. The forecast for the rest of the week calls for high temperatures hovering about 50 degrees with a chance of showers and overnight lows in the low 40s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Snowy peaks over Port Angeles

A recent snow is visible from Port Angeles on the Klahhane Ridge… Continue reading

Clallam County, Flaura’s Acres establish agreement

Utility Local Improvement District may be formed

Ecology updates on eight Port Angeles cleanup sites

Sites not of particular worry, state spokesperson says

Deputy Mayor Rachel Anderson thanks Sequim police officer Mark Poole with a proclamation of his Lifesaving Award on Oct. 14 for preventing a man from jumping from the River Road bypass in August. (John Southard)
Sequim police officer honored with Lifesaving Award

Sequim Police Officer Mark Poole was awarded a 2024 Lifesaving… Continue reading

PASD is hopeful about its bond, levy

Safety, security at buildings, officials say

Federal case dismissed against Jefferson County

Prosecutor says office ‘vindicated’ by decision