US State Department Denounces Attack on Hong Kong Epoch Times Printing Press The State Department on Thursday denounced the assault by masked intruders on the printing press of the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times and is urging Hong Kong authorities to investigate the matter. “We condemn the attack on the Epoch Times’ printing plant and urge the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice,” a State Department spokesperson said. “The United States is concerned by increased efforts to silence independent media and otherwise suppress freedom of expression, including the politically motivated targeting of journalists. We are committed to standing up for press freedom and freer and wider access to information and ideas around the world. Freedom of expression, including for members of the press, is critical to transparency,” the spokesperson added.