Ching Cheong opens up to Talk Asia

(CNN) -- Ching Cheong is the first Hong Kong journalist to be convicted and imprisoned for spying since Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

After serving more than 1,000 days in jail, Ching Cheong and his wife Mary Lau joined CNN's Anjali Rao on Talk Asia to talk in-depth on his conviction, his opinions of China's press freedom, his life in prison and his thoughts of suicide while sitting in his jail cell.

Ching also revisits The University of Hong Kong where he studied and explains to Rao the vital role played by more than 300 alumni who lobbied for his release.

Convicted and sentenced by the Chinese authorities for providing state secrets to Taiwan, The Straits Times' Chief China Correspondent maintains in the interview that he never betrayed his country.

"First, I have never done anything that would jeopardize my nation's security...I have never ever been spying for Taiwan."

As for why he was arrested, he reveals that even today: "... I don't know the exact reason... "

Ching tells Rao how he considered ending his life in prison, an option his wife says she also considered during the ordeal: "His being arrested and charged, is a very serious blow to our family. In actual fact I myself had the same desire in the beginning."

Ching then reflects on how he felt throughout that extremely dark time: "All the values I treasure most seem to have betrayed me... I became totally disoriented, I lost self confidence and I have very low self esteem of myself."

Ching stressed this latest experience will not change his attitude towards a country he has reported on for over three decades.

"I consider personal ordeal is one thing, but the bigger picture of China's development, of cross strait relations as another thing..."

He is also convinced that China is improving press freedoms: "Compared with the initial years, there's a tremendous lot of improvement, especially on economic and social issues."

Ching also walks Rao through the University of Hong Kong, a place which sparks memories of his past and played a significant role in his release. The intense lobbying push during his detention included a full page advertisement with more than 300 University of Hong Kong alumni signatures along with an open letter to China's president Hu Jintao.

"It's very difficult to get the signature of more than 300 alumni who have been all over the different fields in Hong Kong and they are business, social, and political leaders of the society," says Ching.

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