Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Reuters Journalist Anthony Grey, Held Captive in China, Dies at 87
Anthony Grey was a British journalist working for Reuters in China during the 1960s.
When reporters in Hong Kong were arrested, Chinese authorities retaliated by detaining Grey in Beijing.
He was kept under house arrest and then confined to a small room for about 26 months.
During his captivity, he endured difficult conditions, including solitary confinement and psychological distress, though he found solace in writing.
He was eventually released in 1969 and later worked for the BBC, wrote novels, and started a charity.
Grey passed away at the age of 87, having lived with the lasting effects of his experience.
Reuters journalist Anthony Grey, who was held captive in China for 26 months, has died at the age of 87.
Grey was the Reuters correspondent in Beijing when he was placed under house arrest in July 1967.
His detention was a retaliation for the arrest of communist reporters in Hong Kong by British authorities.
He was later subjected to harsher conditions, including confinement to a single room, by Red Guards.
Grey was released in October 1969 and went on to have a career in journalism and writing, and later established a charity for state hostages.
- Who
- Anthony Grey, a Reuters journalist
- What
- died at age 87, after being held captive in China for 26 months
- When
- died October 11, 2024; held captive from 1967 to 1969
- Where
- died in Norwich, England; held captive in Beijing, China
- Why
- He was placed under house arrest and later detention by Chinese authorities in retaliation for the arrest of communist reporters in Hong Kong.
Chinese Government's Stance
Anthony Grey's Perspective
Reason for Detention
Chinese Government's Stance
Grey's detention was a response to the "illegal persecution" and "fascist atrocities" in Hong Kong against Chinese correspondents.
Anthony Grey's Perspective
Grey believed he was "caught up in a battle of face between two intransigent governments" and that his employer, Reuters, was independent of the British state.
Relationship with Captors
Chinese Government's Stance
Official Chinese statements framed the actions as a response to perceived persecution of their own reporters.
Anthony Grey's Perspective
Grey held no bitterness towards his former captors, despite the trauma of solitary confinement.
- Born
- July 5, 1938
- Died
- October 11, 2024
- Age
- 87
- Occupation
- Journalist, Novelist
- Captivity Duration
- 26 months
- Location of Captivity
- Beijing, China