Hong Kong Journalists Caught in the Middle of Escalating US-China Conflict

Last month the New York Times was the first to go public with its difficulties, announcing it would relocate some of its Asia hub to South Korea after multiple delays and at least one outright rejection.

The difficulties come as Washington and Beijing clash over reporter credentials.

The Trump administration placed visa and headcount restrictions on some Chinese media in the US, all of whom are state-controlled.

Beijing responded with tit-for-tat restrictions, including expelling a group of reporters from multiple US outlets who were also banned from working in Hong Kong, an unprecedented move.

On Tuesday Beijing's foreign ministry warned "necessary and timely countermeasures" would be taken if the US continued to limit Chinese reporters.

Hu Xijin, editor of China's state-owned tabloid Global Times, said Beijing would "retaliate, including targeting US journalists based in Hong Kong".

The FCCHK condemned the restrictions placed by both sides.

"The FCC opposes using journalists' visas as a weapon in international disputes and also opposes taking action against journalists for the decisions made by their home countries," it said.

"This downward spiral of retaliatory actions aimed at journalists helps no one, not least of all the public that needs accurate, professionally produced information now more than ever," it added.

(Writers & Editors: YZ-JTA/FOX, Agence France-Presse)

Source: http://u.afp.com/3B66