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Joe Biden challenges China over 'curtailed' freedom of press during visit Joe Biden challenges China over 'curtailed' freedom of press during visit
(35 minutes later)
Joe Biden pressed China publicly and privately on its treatment of US journalists who fear losing their visas, as he wrapped up his visit to Beijing on Thursday.Joe Biden pressed China publicly and privately on its treatment of US journalists who fear losing their visas, as he wrapped up his visit to Beijing on Thursday.
Speaking to American business people in the capital, the US vice-president spoke of "profound disagreements" with China over its treatment of US journalists.Speaking to American business people in the capital, the US vice-president spoke of "profound disagreements" with China over its treatment of US journalists.
"Innovation thrives where people breathe freely, speak freely, are able to challenge orthodoxy, where newspapers can report the truth without fear of consequences," he said."Innovation thrives where people breathe freely, speak freely, are able to challenge orthodoxy, where newspapers can report the truth without fear of consequences," he said.
Later on Thursday he flew to South Korea where he completes a week-long Asia tour that has been dominated by tensions over China's new air-defence identification zone over the East China sea.Later on Thursday he flew to South Korea where he completes a week-long Asia tour that has been dominated by tensions over China's new air-defence identification zone over the East China sea.
While in Beijing, he met Bloomberg and New York Times journalists who have experienced unusual delays in renewals of their mandatory annual visas following the organisations running sensitive stories on the family wealth of leaders. Their websites have been blocked since the reports appeared and neither company has been given visas for new recruits. While in Beijing he met Bloomberg and New York Times journalists who have experienced unusual delays in renewals of their mandatory annual visas following the organisations running sensitive stories on the family wealth of leaders. Their websites have been blocked since the reports appeared and neither company has been given visas for new recruits.
Biden also raised the issue in his meetings with the president, Xi Jinping. According to the New York Times, Biden reported that Xi said China treated reporters according to the law.Biden also raised the issue in his meetings with the president, Xi Jinping. According to the New York Times, Biden reported that Xi said China treated reporters according to the law.
China's foreign ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, said the media were treated in accordance with the country's laws and regulations. "Over the past few years, we have provided a very convenient environment for foreign journalists reporting in China," he told reporters."Everybody can see the progress we made."China's foreign ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, said the media were treated in accordance with the country's laws and regulations. "Over the past few years, we have provided a very convenient environment for foreign journalists reporting in China," he told reporters."Everybody can see the progress we made."
The full foreign reporting staff of both media organisations are understood to have experienced delays. If accreditation is not issued to the journalists soon they will have to leave China from December as their visas expire. The full foreign reporting staff of both media organisations are understood to have experienced delays. If accreditation is not issued to the journalists soon they will have to leave China as their visas expire.
Last year China refused to renew the credentials of the US citizen Melissa Chan, a correspondent for al-Jazeera English in what is thought to be the first such case since the late 90s – but other individuals have received new visas following delays.Last year China refused to renew the credentials of the US citizen Melissa Chan, a correspondent for al-Jazeera English in what is thought to be the first such case since the late 90s – but other individuals have received new visas following delays.
Jill Abramson, executive editor of the Times, said in a statement: "Unfettered coverage of China is a crucial issue at a time when it is such an important and compelling story. We have made a major commitment to covering China and are eager that our staff can continue to work there normally."Jill Abramson, executive editor of the Times, said in a statement: "Unfettered coverage of China is a crucial issue at a time when it is such an important and compelling story. We have made a major commitment to covering China and are eager that our staff can continue to work there normally."
A Bloomberg journalist travelling with David Cameron was excluded from a Beijing event this week, prompting the prime minister to complain directly to Xi.A Bloomberg journalist travelling with David Cameron was excluded from a Beijing event this week, prompting the prime minister to complain directly to Xi.
Hong, the foreign ministry spokesman, said they had sought to ensure there were sufficient spaces for Chinese and British media.Hong, the foreign ministry spokesman, said they had sought to ensure there were sufficient spaces for Chinese and British media.
Bloomberg denied a New York Times report saying it killed a sensitive story involving leaders' families through fearing its ability to report from China would be jeopardised.Bloomberg denied a New York Times report saying it killed a sensitive story involving leaders' families through fearing its ability to report from China would be jeopardised.
In November, the American journalist Paul Mooney, who has reported from China for many years, was denied a visa to work for Reuters. The Chinese language websites of the news agency and of the Wall Street Journal have been blocked since last month.In November, the American journalist Paul Mooney, who has reported from China for many years, was denied a visa to work for Reuters. The Chinese language websites of the news agency and of the Wall Street Journal have been blocked since last month.
Nolan Barkhouse, spokesman for the US embassy in Beijing, pressed home the message and raised concern about the treatment of academics, saying: "We are deeply concerned that foreign journalists in China face restrictions that impede their ability to do their jobs, including extended delays in processing their journalist visas, restrictions on access to 'sensitive' locations and individuals, pressure on their local staff, blocked websites, and reports of cyber-hacking of media organisations.".Nolan Barkhouse, spokesman for the US embassy in Beijing, pressed home the message and raised concern about the treatment of academics, saying: "We are deeply concerned that foreign journalists in China face restrictions that impede their ability to do their jobs, including extended delays in processing their journalist visas, restrictions on access to 'sensitive' locations and individuals, pressure on their local staff, blocked websites, and reports of cyber-hacking of media organisations.".
"We call upon the Chinese authorities to respect media and academic freedoms. Chinese and foreign journalists and academics should be allowed to operate freely in China.""We call upon the Chinese authorities to respect media and academic freedoms. Chinese and foreign journalists and academics should be allowed to operate freely in China."
Perry Link, a sinologist at the University of California at Riverside, who has been denied visas to China since 1996, warned: "The whole US public suffers in its understanding of China because of the problem. Self censorship by academics – and hence a less than accurate impression of Chinese realities for the western public – will continue until the institution of using blacklists for this purpose is abolished."Perry Link, a sinologist at the University of California at Riverside, who has been denied visas to China since 1996, warned: "The whole US public suffers in its understanding of China because of the problem. Self censorship by academics – and hence a less than accurate impression of Chinese realities for the western public – will continue until the institution of using blacklists for this purpose is abolished."
Andrew Nathan, a historian at Columbia University, who has been unable to visit since he co-edited a book of leaked documents on the 1989 pro-democracy protests that began in Tiananmen Square, said he had been approached by many younger academics and students who wanted advice on whether a particular piece or kind of research would affect their visa access.Andrew Nathan, a historian at Columbia University, who has been unable to visit since he co-edited a book of leaked documents on the 1989 pro-democracy protests that began in Tiananmen Square, said he had been approached by many younger academics and students who wanted advice on whether a particular piece or kind of research would affect their visa access.
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