US-China 'War': China to Expel Many American Reporters

A sudden press war broke out between the US and China when early this morning (March 18), China announced that it would require three US news agencies based in China, the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, to submit a list of US reporters whose visas will expire this year and to return their press cards. According to Axios, this move is serious because these reporters will not be allowed to work in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and will be expelled from the country. This is usually what is applied to reporters on the blacklist.

International reporters working in China. Photo: Xinhua

In addition, China also requires five American press agencies in the country, including: Voice of America (VOA), New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and Times, to report to Chinese authorities all information about employees, finances, real estate, business activities...

According to the New York Times, China’s latest decisions are in “retaliation” for the US State Department’s previous designation of five Chinese news agencies, including Xinhua News Agency, CGNT Television, CRI Radio, China Daily and People’s Daily, as “foreign missions”. Earlier this month, the US also announced new restrictions on Chinese reporters and journalists in the US. Accordingly, five Chinese state media agencies operating in the US will only be allowed to employ a maximum of 100 Chinese nationals, compared to the current 160. This reduction will also cause 60 Chinese citizens to lose their jobs and return home.

Commenting on China's latest decision, Washington Post Editor-in-Chief Marty Baron said it was a regrettable decision. In the midst of the increasingly serious Covid-19 epidemic, clear and timely information is needed, which only complicates the situation. Meanwhile, Dean Baquet - Editor-in-Chief of the New York Times called it a serious mistake, calling on the two governments to quickly resolve the conflict. Matt Murra, Editor-in-Chief of the Wall Street Journal, also called it an unprecedented "attack" and said that the magazine's commitment to providing full and in-depth information about the situation in China will not change.

Of course, China asserts that these are legitimate defense measures aimed at the US's actions of "restraint" and "repression" of the Chinese press. For his part, in the latest statement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also expressed regret over China's decision and hoped that Beijing would reconsider this decision./.