I imagine they will in the future. The reporter says this was "my first in my long reporting experience in China" so I imagine they didn't think they needed to do this sort of thing before.
Most attackers (low level, local politicians) will be unable to break this most of the time, which would make for a safer situation for all involved. I think that this should be standard procedure in every country, subbing in Signal Private Messenger where it isn't blocked.