Ching Cheong makes first comments after release

Ching Cheong, the chief China correspondent of the Singapore-based Straits Times that was jailed in China for supposed espionage but freed recently, has made his first statements after his well-deserved rest. He lost more than 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) during the more than 1,000 days that he was in prison. Here are Ching Cheong's quotes, compiled from various news sources quoted below:

On his innocence:

I have never done anything that endangers national security or harms my country's interests... I have stressed in court that I never had any intention to work as a spy, that at no time was I in possession of any national secrets, let alone handed them over to Taiwan.

On his health:

I feel a lot better now. I still haven't made an arrangement [for a medical checkup]. I have been taking a rest and seeing my friends these days. I just felt a bit tired after coming back. I have lost a lot of weight, more than 30 pounds.

While Ching Cheong was 'not too sure' if his release had anything to do with the Games, Reuters notes that China has a "history of freeing high-profile political prisoners and dissidents ahead of major state visits or events".

Ching Cheong's hopes for greater openess and 'social harmony':

This year is the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening and our first Olympics. I hope the Beijing government will announce an amnesty to help create greater social harmony.

On his time under detention, Ching Cheong revealed a 'horrible downward spiral' of self-doubt and considered suicide: