A coalition of 21 countries from around the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement in which they expressed deep concern over the alleged suppression of independent media in Hong Kong, reported Sputnik.

"The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their deep concern at the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities’ attacks on freedom of the press and their suppression of independent local media in Hong Kong," the statement said on Tuesday.

"Since the enactment of the National Security Law in June 2020...