China censured the U.S. Wednesday for its “incorrect” characterization of the global coronavirus pandemic as Chinese in origin as it re-asserted the “right” to expel three American newspaper journalists and bar them even from working in nearby Hong Kong.
Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang delivered a series of instructions for the U.S. from the Communist state at a regular press briefing, saying it would not hesitate to take further action against U.S. media and journalists in China if the United States did not “correct its mistakes.”
“The U.S. has said that all options are on the table. Today, I can also tell the U.S. that all options are on the table for China,” Geng said.
The foreign ministry maintained American citizens working for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post with credentials expiring before the end of the year must surrender their press cards within 10 days.
As Breitbart News reported, Beijing flagged the move Tuesday saying it would ban American citizen journalists from several mainstream publications from working in China, claiming it represented a “reciprocal” measure to the U.S. State Department limiting Chinese state media staff to 100 Chinese nationals per media outlet.
Israel First? MAGA divide erupts over allegations Netanyahu pushed US into Iran conflict
Iran retaliation fears fail to move Democrats on DHS shutdown
Lindsey Graham already moves on from Iran, warns ‘Cuba is next’
Nancy Mace to force vote targeting fellow GOP lawmaker accused of affair with staffer
Trump says ‘losers’ Schumer, Dems would have criticized any decision he made on Iran
Watch: Grateful Kuwaiti Rushes to Help Downed US Pilot, While Leftist Woman Wishes Death to Military Service Members
BREAKING: Black Smoke Rises as New US Consulate Compound Hit by Iranian Strike
Cincinnati mayor opposes judge’s move to grant bail to convicted felon linked to mass shooting gun battle
Austin bar shooting victims named as FBI investigates potential terrorism nexus
State Department deploying military aircraft to evacuate US citizens from Middle East
Michigan Democrats appear hesitant to expand early voting when it could help GOP in state race
Democrat in key Senate primary says she ‘regrets’ vote on Laken Riley Act, draws GOP backlash
Iranian Women’s Soccer Team Performs Silent Protest Amid Bombings: ‘This Is Courage’
State Department has helped over 130 Americans evacuate Israel during war with Iran, official says
BREAKING: Israel Has Reportedly Attacked Tehran Mehrabad Airport as ‘Operation Epic Fury’ Continues
China’s move accelerated a tit-for-tat between Beijing and Washington over press freedom, raised questions about Hong Kong’s autonomy under a one country, two systems” agreement that prevails between the former U.K. territory and the mainland.
But under Hong Kong’s Basic Law, as its mini constitution is known, Beijing is ultimately responsible for foreign affairs and defense in the former British colony, Reuters reports.
Geng said the expulsions were in response to U.S. actions and the decision to oust them, and block them from Hong Kong, fell under Beijing’s diplomatic purvue.
The Trump administration designated five Chinese state media outlets — Xinhua, China Daily, Hai Tian Development USA, China Global Television Network (CGTN), and China Radio International — “foreign missions” last month because their purpose is not to share news but to promote the agenda of the Communist Party.
“Unlike foreign media organizations in China, these entities are not independent news organizations,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in February, explaining the limits on the number of Chinese propagandists allowed to operate in the United States.
Israel First? MAGA divide erupts over allegations Netanyahu pushed US into Iran conflict
Iran retaliation fears fail to move Democrats on DHS shutdown
Lindsey Graham already moves on from Iran, warns ‘Cuba is next’
Nancy Mace to force vote targeting fellow GOP lawmaker accused of affair with staffer
Trump says ‘losers’ Schumer, Dems would have criticized any decision he made on Iran
Watch: Grateful Kuwaiti Rushes to Help Downed US Pilot, While Leftist Woman Wishes Death to Military Service Members
BREAKING: Black Smoke Rises as New US Consulate Compound Hit by Iranian Strike
Cincinnati mayor opposes judge’s move to grant bail to convicted felon linked to mass shooting gun battle
Austin bar shooting victims named as FBI investigates potential terrorism nexus
State Department deploying military aircraft to evacuate US citizens from Middle East
Michigan Democrats appear hesitant to expand early voting when it could help GOP in state race
Democrat in key Senate primary says she ‘regrets’ vote on Laken Riley Act, draws GOP backlash
Iranian Women’s Soccer Team Performs Silent Protest Amid Bombings: ‘This Is Courage’
State Department has helped over 130 Americans evacuate Israel during war with Iran, official says
BREAKING: Israel Has Reportedly Attacked Tehran Mehrabad Airport as ‘Operation Epic Fury’ Continues
At the time, China branded the restrictions a “ridiculous war against Chinese media.”
Geng earlier said the United States needs to cease directing “unwarranted accusations” at China, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump described the new strain of coronavirus as the “Chinese Virus” on Twitter.
“Some U.S. political figures have recently been connecting the coronavirus with China,” Geng warned. “We express strong indignation and objection to such stigmatization.”
The official Chinese spokesman said describing the coronavirus as Chinese violates principles set out by various international agencies, although he declined to name them or point to their direct warning against ever publicly criticizing Communist China.
Geng also took the opportunity to attack the U.S. response to the pandemic that first started in the southern China city of Wuhan.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads and worsens all over the world, the urgent task for the international community is to respond with aggressive and concerted efforts,” he said.
“The United States should get its domestic issues handled first.”
Story cited here.
