Beijing won’t rule out targeting US journalists in Hong Kong over visa curbs on Chinese reporters

American reporters have already been forced to leave mainland and some based in city fear they are next in the firing line

Foreign ministry says it will take ‘necessary’ countermeasures if Chinese reporters continue to face visa curbs in the US

Reading Time:2 minutes

The New York Times has already said it will move digital operations from Hong Kong to Seoul. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:12pm, 4 Aug 2020Updated: 11:34pm, 4 Aug 2020

Beijing has not ruled out targeting American journalists in Hong Kong in retaliation for visa restrictions on Chinese reporters in the United States.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday that Beijing would respond to the “political suppression” of Chinese media, and noted that no Chinese reporters had been able to renew their visas since the US tightened restrictions in May.

“As for whether US journalists in Hong Kong will be impacted, I can tell you that the Hong Kong special administrative region is a part of China,” he said.

“In response to the unreasonable suppression of Chinese media outlets in the US, we will be forced to take necessary and timely countermeasures, as this belongs to the Chinese central government’s diplomatic authority.”

The media war between the two countries has been steadily escalating in line with the growing tensions across a range of other areas.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x