White House ‘very disappointed’ as US journalist is forced to leave China
Obama administration unhappy that New York Times journalist is forced out of China following articles revealing the wealth accumulated by relatives of party leaders
The White House criticised on Thursday China’s restrictions on press freedom after a New York Times journalist was forced to leave the country.
The departure on Thursday of Austin Ramzy came despite Vice-President Joe Biden last month raising with China’s leader Xi Jinping the problems faced by journalists working for US news organisations.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US is “very disappointed” over Ramzy and remains concerned several other US journalists have waited months or years for a decision on their press credentials and visas.
Carney also urged China to unblock US media websites and eliminate other restrictions on journalists, including on travel. He said in some cases, journalists face violence at the hands of local authorities.
“These restrictions and treatment are not consistent with freedom of the press – and stand in stark contrast with US treatment of Chinese and other foreign journalists,” he said in a statement.
“These restrictions and treatment are not consistent with freedom of the press.”
Ramzy is the second Times reporter in 13 months to leave the mainland over visa issues, as China intensifies efforts to control foreign media coverage. That appears to reflect wariness about foreign coverage seeping into the domestic audience and sensitivity about the country’s reputation abroad – particularly over reports about the wealth accumulated by relatives of top Communist Party leaders.
