China Takes Countermeasures against US Suppression of Chinese Media

In response to America labeling four Chinese media outlets as “foreign missions,” Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Zhao Lijian announced on July 1 the countermeasures China will take, demanding that The Associated Press, United Press International, CBS News and NPR News submit paperwork declaring information on their staff, finances, management, and real estate they own within China’s borders.

Zhao stated at the news conference that in recent years the U.S. government has placed unreasonable restrictions on Chinese media agencies’ ability to function in the United States making things difficult for news personnel, and escalating discrimination and political suppression against them. On Feb. 18, 2020, the U.S. listed China Daily, CGTN, China Radio International, and Hai Tian Development U.S.A, the distributor of the People’s Daily in the U.S., as foreign missions. On March 18, China requested that U.S. agencies Voice of America, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Times Weekly and The Washington Post declare their staff, finances, management, and real estate in China to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On June 22, Zhao said that the U.S. once again declared that it would include CCTV, the People’s Daily, the Global Times, and China News on its list of foreign missions. In retaliation, China demanded that The Associated Press, United Press International, CBS News and NPR declare their staff, finances, management, and real estate in China within seven days.

“It must be noted that all aforementioned measures are entirely necessary to counterbalance the unreasonable suppression of Chinese media in America. These defenses are legitimate. America’s current actions stem from a Cold War mentality which severely damages the reputation of Chinese media, affects their routine operations in the U.S., interferes with the two countries’ diplomatic relations, and exposes the hypocrisy of the U.S.’ so-called freedom of the press,” said Zhao. He further stated that “China urges the U.S. to correct its past mistakes and to stop its suppression of and unreasonable restrictions on Chinese media.”