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The United States treats Chinese media reporters as “hostages” to exert extreme pressure on China. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China will never accept this set
China News Service, Beijing, September 7 (Reporter Zhang Ziyang) Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in Beijing on September 7 that the United States has used the issue of visa extension for journalists Chinese in the United States as a threat to use Chinese media journalists as “hostages” to exert extreme pressure on China. , “China will never eat this game.”
At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: According to reports from The New York Times and CNN, the spokesperson for the US State Department recently issued a statement stating that the US Department of Foreign Affairs China notified the US Embassy in China recently and refused to postpone the journalist for US media reporters. This proves that the relevant approach is a reciprocal response to the US. Please confirm from China . Will China’s relevant practices lead to a further escalation of Sino-US media issues?
Zhao Lijian responded that the statement made by the US State Department spokesperson was completely inconsistent with the facts and was a slap in the face.
Zhao Lijian said that the fact is that the renewal of the press card of the journalists of the relevant US media, including CNN, is in the process of processing. Until the new press card is issued, the reporter’s coverage and life in China will not be affected in any way. We have told the American side.
Zhao Lijian said that for a period of time, the United States has intensified its political repression of the Chinese media, which has reached the level of hysteria. Since 2018, the United States has indefinitely delayed or even rejected the visas of 30 Chinese journalists, registered Chinese media in the United States as “foreign agents” and listed them as “foreign missions,” and “expelled” 60 journalists. Chinese in disguise in America. The period of visa stay for Chinese journalists in the United States has been reduced to no more than 90 days. The visas of the aforementioned journalists expired on August 6. They had already submitted visa extension applications to the United States as required, but the United States has not extended the visa to any Chinese journalists until now, making the work and life of Chinese journalists stationed in the United States instead. Great uncertainty.
Zhao Lijian said that the relevant actions by the United States seriously interfered with the normal reporting activities of Chinese media in the United States, severely damaged the reputation of Chinese media, and seriously interfered with the normal cultural exchanges between the two countries. On the one hand, the United States advertises freedom of the press, but on the other hand it discriminates against the Chinese media, and even uses Chinese reporters in the United States as “hostages” to pressure China. This exposes the hypocrisy of America’s so-called “freedom of the press” which is naked. “Double standards” and hegemonic harassment.
Zhao Lijian emphasized that even so, China has always expressed its willingness to solve the problem of the media reporters of the two countries with the United States on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and has maintained communication and discussions with the United States. . To show sincerity, even as the US side shortened the visa of Chinese journalists in the US to three months without distinction, China still exercises restraint and has not implemented any relevant countermeasures so far. Previously, she normally issued visas for American journalists and informed them. Provide convenience. Furthermore, when the United States expelled more than 60 Chinese journalists and refused to sign more than 20 journalists, China did not expel the same number of American journalists. However, during the negotiations, the American side was arrogant and unreasonable. She ignored China’s normal and reasonable concerns and requests without mentioning a word. She also used the issue of visa extensions for Chinese journalists in the US as a threat to use Chinese media journalists as “hostages” to exert extreme pressure on China. China will never eat this set.
Zhao Li insisted that it is necessary to point out that American media reporters in China are aware of the above events. They do not agree with the US government’s suppression of Chinese media for political purposes and a “media war,” and they oppose using the media from the two countries as pawns in the game. . If the United States really cares about American journalists, it should extend visas for all Chinese journalists as soon as possible, rather than taking journalists from the two countries as “hostages” for the political interests of some politicians.
Zhao Lijian said: I once again urge the United States to meet with the Chinese side mid-way, show sincerity, and respond to China’s legitimate and reasonable requests as soon as possible on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity. , especially the normal visa extension for all Chinese journalists in the United States. All Chinese options are on the table and the United States has it very clear. If the United States insists on going its own way, adding mistakes to mistakes, China can only be forced to give the necessary and legitimate answers and firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. (Finish)
