Limits on US-based journalists slammed

The All-China Journalists Association denounced on Friday the United States State Department's de facto expulsion of dozens of US-based Chinese journalists, and urged Washington to immediately end its discriminatory restrictions.

The association issued a statement voicing strong condemnation and firm opposition after the department decided to cap the number of Chinese journalists working in the US for five major Chinese news organizations: Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, China Daily and Haitian, which distributes People's Daily.

The US State Department has designated the five major outlets as foreign missions and required them to reduce their total number of Chinese employees in the US from 160 to 100.

"The actions have seriously violated the normal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in carrying out news reporting overseas, damaged the reputation of Chinese media and journalists and interfered with their normal work abroad," the statement said.

It pointed out that the discriminatory measures targeting Chinese media outlets operating in the US are akin to a Cold War mentality and represent ideological prejudice.

This is a blatant "double standard" and hegemonic bullying conducted by the US, which exposes the hypocrisy of the so-called freedom of speech it has flaunted, according to the statement.

The ACJA expressed grave concern over the undesirable consequences caused by the US move as well as the damage to US-based Chinese journalists' legitimate rights and interests.

Highlighting that the media is an important channel for boosting communication and understanding among peoples of all countries, the association said that US-based Chinese news organizations and journalists have, for a long time, played a positive role in facilitating people-to-people mutual understanding, deepening strategic mutual trust and pushing forward exchanges and cooperation in all areas between the two countries.

It also noted that Beijing has respected and ensured the normal reporting activities of foreign media in China in accordance with the law.

The ACJA solemnly urged the US to abandon its "Cold War thinking" and political crackdown based on ideological bias and immediately take actions to correct its mistakes including discriminating against Chinese media, limiting the number of Chinese journalists and putting up obstacles to their obtaining visas, according to the statement.

The association will continue to provide convenience for foreign media members in China to carry out normal work in accordance with the law and encourage foreign media organizations to play a positive role in promoting international exchanges and cooperation as well as building a community with a shared future for mankind, it said.