BEIJING, (Xinhua): China has urged the United States to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists working in the country and to take practical measures to implement the understandings reached between the two sides on media-related issues.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to remarks by a U.S. State Department spokesperson, who claimed that China had not provided U.S. journalists with the same rights it expects for Chinese media personnel in the United States.
“The U.S. side talks about reciprocal treatment, and that is exactly China’s concern. It is the U.S. side that started the media issue,” Mao said.
Mao stated that China has fully honored the three common understandings reached between the two countries, including providing visa facilitation measures for American journalists reporting from China.
She noted, however, that Chinese journalists stationed in the United States continue to face significant restrictions on their reporting activities.
According to Mao, Chinese reporters have been largely denied opportunities to conduct on-site reporting at the White House. She added that visa and residency permit approvals are frequently delayed without clear justification, while many journalists have been compelled to return to China. Applications for short-term reporting assignments in the United States are also seldom approved, she said.
Mao further criticized the treatment of Chinese media organizations in the United States, saying that despite U.S. claims of supporting freedom of speech, Chinese outlets have been politically labeled as “foreign agent” and “foreign mission.”
She called on the United States to address these concerns and ensure fair treatment for Chinese journalists operating in the country.
