This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-forces-new-york-times-reporter-to-leave-country/2014/01/30/cff27c76-8972-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
China forces New York Times reporter to leave country China forces New York Times reporter to leave country
(about 9 hours later)
BEIJING — China forced a New York Times reporter to leave the country on Thursday for the second year in a row, the latest in a series of government actions against journalists. BEIJING — China forced a New York Times reporter to leave the country on Thursday, the latest in a series of government actions targeting journalists.
Austin Ramzy, a journalist who previously worked in China six years for Time magazine, has not been given a journalist visa since he moved to the newspaper last year. Facing an expiring visa, he boarded a flight to Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday afternoon. Austin Ramzy, a journalist who previously worked for six years in China for Time magazine, has not been given a journalist visa since he moved to the newspaper last year. Facing an expiring visa, he boarded a flight to Taipei, Taiwan, on Thursday afternoon.
Ramzy’s forced departure will result in the first full-time Times correspondent in memory being stationed in Taiwan, an island China considers a rebellious province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.Ramzy’s forced departure will result in the first full-time Times correspondent in memory being stationed in Taiwan, an island China considers a rebellious province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Journalists at the Times and Bloomberg News have encountered visa problems after both organizations published articles about wealth and corruption among Communist Party leaders. The massive wealth acquired by “princelings” — relatives of elite government figures — is considered a particularly sensitive issue by the government. Journalists at the Times and Bloomberg News have encountered visa problems since both organizations published articles about wealth and corruption among Communist Party leaders. The massive wealth acquired by “princelings” — relatives of elite government figures — is considered a particularly sensitive issue by the government.
Last month, as visas were due to expire for journalists at the Times, Bloomberg News and other organizations, the government refused to process their applications until the last moment. The government relented after a personal appeal by Vice President Biden to China’s president. Last month, as visas were due to expire for journalists at the Times, Bloomberg News and other media organizations, the government refused to process their applications until the last moment. The government relented after a personal appeal by Vice President Biden to China’s president.
Ramzy will continue applying for a visa while reporting in Taiwan, said Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha.Ramzy will continue applying for a visa while reporting in Taiwan, said Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha.
At a press conference on Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang argued that Ramzy was not being expelled or forced to leave. He characterized the departure as bureaucratic in nature and accused Ramzy of violating Chinese regulations because he continued to travel to China on his previous unexpired journalist visa while waiting for a new one. In Washington, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the administration is “deeply concerned” about the ongoing restrictions journalists are facing in China.
Times representatives have pointed out that Ramzy’s old visa was never canceled by the government nor raised as an issue until recently. “These restrictions and treatment are not consistent with freedom of the press — and stand in stark contrast with U.S. treatment of Chinese and other foreign journalists,” Carney said in a statement.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China issued a statement condemning Qin’s accusations criticizing the government. “Suggestions by Chinese officials that Mr. Ramzy did not correctly comply with Chinese visa regulations are disingenuous; the regulations are unclear and have not been applied to other journalists in similar situations to that of Ramzy,” the organization said. “It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the authorities are punishing the New York Times for articles it published concerning Premier Wen Jiabao and his family. Such behavior falls well short of international standards.” At a news conference Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang argued that Ramzy was not being expelled or forced to leave. He characterized the departure as bureaucratic in nature and accused Ramzy of violating Chinese regulations because he had continued to travel to China on his previous unexpired journalist visa while waiting for a new one.
Times representatives note that the government had never canceled Ramzy’s old visa or raised it as an issue until recently.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China issued a statement condemning Qin’s accusations. “Suggestions by Chinese officials that Mr. Ramzy did not correctly comply with Chinese visa regulations are disingenuous; the regulations are unclear and have not been applied to other journalists in similar situations to that of Ramzy,” the organization said. “It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the authorities are punishing the New York Times for articles it published concerning Premier Wen Jiabao and his family. Such behavior falls well short of international standards.”
The Times and Bloomberg News have not been able to obtain visas for journalists newly hired for positions in China during the past two years. Both have only been able to renew visas for employees already in China.The Times and Bloomberg News have not been able to obtain visas for journalists newly hired for positions in China during the past two years. Both have only been able to renew visas for employees already in China.
The Times’ bureau chief, Philip Pan, has not been given a journalist visa for China despite almost two years of trying. And last year, reporter Chris Buckley was forced out of the country after leaving Reuters to work for the Times. The bureau chief for the Times, Philip Pan, has not been given a journalist visa for China despite trying for almost two years. Last year, reporter Chris Buckley was expelled after leaving Reuters to work for the Times.
Asked about those delays on Monday, Qing from the foreign ministry said, “The issuance of visas and residency permits is a matter that only China as a sovereign nation can determine.” Asked about the visa delays on Monday, Qing from the foreign ministry said, “The issuance of visas and residency permits is a matter that only China as a sovereign nation can determine.”
Journalists at the Times said the newspaper to their knowledge has never had a full-time correspondent in Taiwan before Ramzy, only freelancers, but stressed they plan to continue pressing for visas for Ramzy, Pan and Buckley.Journalists at the Times said the newspaper to their knowledge has never had a full-time correspondent in Taiwan before Ramzy, only freelancers, but stressed they plan to continue pressing for visas for Ramzy, Pan and Buckley.
On Twitter Thursday morning, Ramzy wrote: “Heading out shortly and wanted to say thanks for all the kind thoughts. Sad to be leaving Beijing. Hope I can return soon.” On Twitter on Thursday morning, Ramzy wrote: “Heading out shortly and wanted to say thanks for all the kind thoughts. Sad to be leaving Beijing. Hope I can return soon.”