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US, China ease journalist visa restrictions after Biden-Xi meeting



Under the agreement, the two governments will increase the duration of journalist visas to one year from the current three months. Authorities will also make such visas eligible for multiple entries, allowing reporters to travel internationally.

The People’s Republic of China has pledged to allow American journalists already in the country “the freedom to depart and return, something they were not able to do before,” a State Department official said on Tuesday. . “We plan to facilitate the same treatment.”

The two sides have also pledged to continue issuing new journalist visas, a process largely halted after the Chinese government expel many American journalists in early 2020. Beijing insisted it was forced to retaliate after the Trump administration designated the US branches of China’s state media outlets as “foreign missions” “, and limit the number of Chinese journalists working for these agencies in the United States.

American news organizations affected by the China expulsion include the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. Those three organizations did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN Business.

“We are still in close consultation with the affected facilities that are facing staffing shortages and we are pleased that their reporters will be able to return,” the State Department official said. People’s Republic of China to continue their important work”. It remains unclear whether the expelled journalists will be returned or if a new group of reporters will be allowed into China.

“We welcome this progress but view it as simply the beginning,” the US official added. “We will continue to work towards expanding access and improving conditions for the US media and other foreign media, and we will continue to advocate for freedom.” by the media as a reflection of our democratic values.”

Chinese state media first reported on the journalist visa agreement. Unexpectedly, a senior Biden administration official told reporters after the leaders’ meeting that the issue was not raised in their conversation.

A spokesman for the US Embassy said on Wednesday that the agreement was the result of US officials pressing their Chinese counterpart on media and visa access “through official channels”. work in recent months.”

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