China demands reciprocal gesture for renewing US journalists credentials
China has refused to renew the press credentials for some foreign journalists working for US outlets on its soil, but asserts that it would be willing to cooperate with them on the condition that the US treats Chinese media employees fairly.
Journalists from the Wall Street Journal, CNN and Getty Images are among those who have been told they could not renew their press cards, but handed letters giving them temporary permission to work.
A CNN spokeswoman confirmed that one of its Beijing-based journalists was recently issued a visa valid for two months.
“However, our presence on the ground in China remains unchanged, and we are continuing to work with local authorities to ensure that continues,” she said.
US journalist David Culver was told the arrangement was a “reciprocal measure” in response to President Donald Trump administration’s treatment of Chinese journalists, CNN reported.
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that Beijing “would be glad” to continue its “excellent cooperation” with American journalists but that it came with one condition.
“We would be glad to continue our excellent cooperation with the US journalists here if Chinese journalists are treated fairly in the US,” she said on Twitter.
She explained that China is processing the visa extension applications submitted by some US journalists, including one with CNN, and that the affected journalists “can continue to live and work here with no problems at all.”
Back in March, the US imposed restrictions on Chinese journalists in the US in response to what it described as Beijing’s “long-standing intimidation and harassment of journalists.”
China, in response, expelled American journalists employed at three US newspapers and threatened to consider further retaliatory measures, if Washington continued its “hostile action” against the Chinese journalists.
Relations between the two world powers have hit the lowest level in decades under Trump. The two are at loggerheads over a range of issues, including trade, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the coronavirus pandemic.
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