China attacks credentials for US media correspondents

Journalists watching a screen broadcasting a speech by Xi Jinping on September 4, 2020 in Beijing.

REUTERS / Tingshu Wang

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Several foreign correspondents working for American media in China were unable to renew their accreditation for this re-entry.

Chinese officials have informed them that their status is suspended under the Trump administration's announced restrictive measures targeting Chinese state media in the United States.

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With our correspondent in Beijing,

Stéphane Lagarde

This is the limbo of journalism in China.

According to the

New York Times

,

at least 5 sisters and brothers from four media including CNN, the

Wall Street Journal

and Getty Image have not been able to recover their new Chinese press card for this fall.

This document is essential for the renewal of their journalists' visa with the Public Security office.

For now, they can continue to work in China.

The letter they received from the Chinese Foreign Ministry goes in this direction, but also makes it very clear that this status can be revoked at any time.

Chinese authorities also told one of CNN's correspondents that the move had nothing to do with his reporting, but that it was

a "

reciprocal measure

"

in response to the administration's treatment. Trump to Chinese media in the United States.

►Also listen: Media workshop - Coronavirus: a free press in China would undoubtedly have avoided the pandemic, says RSF

This is not the first time that Beijing has decided on such retaliation.

Teeth for teeth, correspondents for correspondents… The sword of Damocles is here linked to the American elections in November, but several journalists working for the American media, however little appreciated by the White House, saw the duration of their work visa reduced by 1 year sometimes 1 or 2 months, others have been

deported from China

in recent months.

Correspondents' diplomacy

" 

If the United States continues to move on the wrong track

," Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for Chinese diplomacy, said recently, "

China has no choice but to react to defend its rights. legitimate.

 "

For his part David Stilweell, assistant secretary of the US State Department for East Asia and the Pacific evokes "

 retaliation out of proportion 

", recalling that " 

there are 150 diplomats or more personnel of the media of 'Chinese state working for the Propaganda Department here in the United States

 ', while only a handful of American journalists remain in China today.

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  • China

  • United States

  • Media

  • Freedom of press

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