What’s New: China is demanding that four top American media outlets submit detailed disclosures about their operations on the Chinese mainland, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.
The outlets, including the Associated Press, United Press International, National Public Radio and CBS, were ordered to report details on staffing, finances and real estate holdings within seven days, said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a regular briefing Wednesday.
Background: Beijing’s move followed the Trump administration’s action June 22 to restrict four Chinese media outlets by labeling them "foreign missions," affecting China Central Television, China News Service, The People’s Daily and Global Times.
“China’s measures are entirely necessary and reciprocal to unwarranted actions against Chinese media operating in the U.S.,” Zhao said.
The development is part of a series of tit-for-tat exchanges between China and the United States over media access that started earlier this year as tensions rose on multiple fronts between the world’s two largest economies. In May, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security cut the duration of Chinese journalists’ visas after Beijing expelled American journalists from three major U.S. newspapers in March.
Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com)
