NY Times reporter forced to leave China over visa

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York Times correspondent who has worked in China for more than a decade was forced to leave the country on Monday because his visa wasn't renewed, the newspaper said.

Mr Chris Buckley, a 45-year-old Australian, flew to Hong Kong with his family amid increased pressures on foreign journalists by the Chinese government, which is concerned over media scrutiny of its top leaders.

Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson said the newspaper was hopeful that the Chinese government would renew Mr Buckley's journalist visa soon so he and his family can return.

"I regret that Chris Buckley has been forced to relocate outside of China despite our repeated requests to renew his journalist visa," she said.