China News Agency, Brussels, April 2nd. The spokesperson of the Chinese mission to the European Union responded to the EU-related BBC reporter’s statement on leaving China on the 2nd, emphasizing that the statement was inconsistent with the facts. The Chinese side expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this. 4 points to clarify.

  A reporter asked that the EU External Action Agency spokesperson issued a statement on the departure of BBC reporter John Sudworth from China and the environment of foreign journalists in China, claiming that this was a foreign journalist who was forced to leave China due to constant harassment and obstruction. In the latest case, China calls on China to comply with relevant domestic and international legal obligations to ensure freedom of speech and press.

What's China's response to this?

  The spokesperson of the Chinese mission to the European Union stated that the statement made by the European side was inconsistent with the facts and was very rash. The Chinese side expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and would like to make the following clarifications and responses:

  —— Sha Lei left China without notifying the Chinese executives and without fulfilling the resident reporter’s leaving formalities, and later claimed to be pressured and threatened by the Chinese government. In fact, the reporter’s family has been working and living in China for 9 years, and the Chinese side is on time Renew the press card for them, protect their freedom and rights of reporting in accordance with the law, and facilitate their work. There is no so-called pressure or threat to them;

  ——The BBC has concocted a large number of unethical fake news and false information on China-related issues, especially on the epidemic and Xinjiang issues in recent years. These reports have aroused the anger of the Chinese people. The Chinese side has repeatedly reported to the BBC. Make representations; if the reporter is worried about being prosecuted by the Chinese people for his report, and he firmly believes that he does not have any false or false rumors, he should face and respond to the lawsuit; if the reporter is worried about his own safety, he can call the police. The relevant Chinese authorities Guarantee the safety of foreigners in China in accordance with the law;

  ——The European side accused China of expelling at least 18 journalists last year. The fact is that the United States refused to extend visas for more than 20 Chinese journalists to the United States for political purposes to suppress China for no reason, and expelled more than 60 Chinese journalists. The Chinese side is not allowed to do so. Failure to respond is also a legitimate and necessary response consistent with international law;

  -China guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press in accordance with the law. At present, there are nearly 500 journalists stationed in more than 40 countries and more than 200 media organizations in China, including nearly 200 European journalists. Many foreign journalists have lived and worked in China for more than ten or even 30 years. This is a foreign correspondent based in China. A true portrayal of the environment; China has always and will continue to be committed to providing convenience and assistance to foreign media reporters reporting in China, but firmly opposes strong ideological prejudice against China, acts that violate journalistic ethics and ethics, and firmly opposes The so-called freedom of speech and press fabricate fake news and false information to attack and discredit China. (Finish)