China: Two journalists reportedly held after exposing graft

*The two journalists had published a report alleging corruption by a local official in southwestern China, rights group RSF said, adding that the case shows how hostile the country has become to independent reporting.*

Two independent journalists were detained by local authorities after they published a report alleging corruption by a local official in southwestern China, rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Tuesday, condemning the incident.

Police in Chengdu said they were investigating a 50-year-old man surnamed Liu and a 34-year-old surnamed Wu on suspicion of making "false accusations" and conducting "illegal business operations."

Authorities said they were placed under "criminal coercive measures," a term typically referring to detention.

Chinese media and RSF identified the two journalists as Liu Hu and Wu Yingjiao.