Journalists' visas restrictions to be eased by US, China after Biden-Xi meeting

The deal addresses one supply of rivalry in strained bilateral ties following a prolonged digital meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping on Monday.

"We hope the US will honor its commitment and implement relevant measures and policies as soon as possible," Zhao informed a press convention in Beijing. "This hard-won outcome is in the interests of the media on both sides and should be cherished."American information organizations affected by the Chinese expulsions included the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal."We have remained in close consultation with the affected outlets facing personnel shortages, and we are gratified their correspondents will be able to return to the PRC to continue their important work," mentioned the US State Department official. It is unclear whether or not the expelled journalists will be ready return, or if a brand new group of reporters will be allowed into China."We welcome this progress but see it simply as initial steps," the US official added. "We will continue to work toward expanding access and improving conditions for US and other foreign media, and we will continue to advocate for media freedom as a reflection of our democratic values."A. G. Sulzberger, the writer of The New York Times, mentioned in an announcement Wednesday that the corporate welcomes "any moves by the Chinese and U.S. governments to allow journalists to do the important work of informing the public.""We believe both countries will benefit from freer access to news and information about the other," he mentioned. "And we hope these initial steps will be followed by further action to ensure independent news organizations are able to provide free and robust coverage from inside China."Almar Latour, writer of The Wall Street Journal and CEO of Dow Jones & Co, mentioned that they're "encouraged by the reported direction of these negotiations and continue to believe that independent, accurate reporting from within China serves our readers and serves China itself."The Washington Post didn't reply to a request for remark.China's state media first reported the journalist visa settlement. It got here as a shock, as a senior Biden administration official informed reporters after the leaders' meeting that this challenge didn't come up throughout their dialog.A US Embassy spokesperson in Beijing on Wednesday characterised the settlement on account of US officers urgent their Chinese counterparts on media entry and visa points "via working-level channels in recent months."— CNN's Beijing bureau contributed to this report.