China kicks out US journalists from three major outlets

The foreign ministry posted a news release online announcing that China is requesting that American journalists from The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, whose credentials expire before the end of the year, give their press cards back within ten days.

The Chinese government noted that these people will not be able to continue working as journalists in mainland China, Macao or Hong Kong.

The announcement comes after five Chinese media outlets were designated as foreign missions by the Trump administration. The administration also restricted the amount of Chinese people that could work for them.

China called the move an unreasonable oppression of the Chinese media and said they responded with necessary and reciprocal countermeasures.

Earlier this month, it was announced by the U.S. that five Chinese media outlets that are state controlled would be restricted to only 100 visas, which would affect around one-third of their staff. It mentioned harassment, intimidation and harsh surveillance of American journalists working in China.

Around 160 US citizens are employed by the Chinese outlets. Some of the outlets are China Global Television Network (CGTN), the official Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television (CCTV).