China Expels a New York Times Reporter, U.S. Retaliates by Revoking Visa of Chinese Journalist

As reported by The New York Times and Bloomberg on May 31, in February this year, mainland China ordered New York Times correspondent Wang Yuemei to leave the country. In response, the U.S. government revoked the visa of a Chinese journalist stationed in America. Wang Yuemei’s expulsion stemmed from an interview conducted in late November last year by The New York Times’ program host, Carl Sagon, via video with Taiwan region leader Lai Qingde.

Reviewing The New York Times’ interview, Lai Qingde extensively promoted the so-called “two-state theory” and boldly declared his intention to resist unification by force—effectively making this media outlet an open platform for “Taiwan independence” separatism, seriously challenging the one-China principle. It can be said that mainland China merely expelled one individual, Wang Yuemei, rather than revoking The New York Times’ press credentials in China, which already reflects considerable restraint.

Naturally, Wang Yuemei’s expulsion was also due to her own misconduct: as a foreign correspondent based in China, she has consistently refused to report objectively or fairly on China, repeatedly criticizing China’s policies and systems. Her eventual expulsion is truly a case of reaping what one sows.

Indeed, the most noteworthy aspect of this entire incident is neither the countermeasure against The New York Times nor Wang Yuemei’s documented record of misconduct—but rather that mainland China has now drawn a clear red line for foreign media journalists regarding coverage of Taiwan: no platform shall be provided for “Taiwan independence” separatist activities.

Over the past few years, mainland China did not object to foreign journalists conducting interviews with Taiwan’s regional leaders. However, this incident from The New York Times suggests that Beijing’s stance may have shifted: serving as a platform to promote “Taiwan independence” separatism is no longer acceptable, and anyone crossing this red line will face consequences.

Image: The New York Times Building

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866684370821131/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.