China defends decision to revoke New York Times reporter's residence permit

China on Monday said that its decision to revoke a New York Times reporter's residence permit was made in accordance with the law, citing the journalist's violation of foreign press regulations and the newspaper's severe breach of the one-China principle.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that the reporter had a confirmed record of obtaining interviews through deception while stationed in China, which violates the regulations governing foreign news agencies and foreign journalists reporting activities in China. As a result, Lin said the Chinese side revoked the residence permit in accordance with laws and regulations.

The spokesman also accused The New York Times of disseminating "Taiwan independence" rhetoric and openly referring to China's Taiwan region as a country. He urged the newspaper to correct its mistakes, rather than showing no remorse and persisting in its erroneous course.

Lin further criticized the United States for "politically suppressing" a Xinhua News Agency journalist working legally in the US under the pretext of reciprocity. He noted that while China has provided visa facilitation for many US journalists in recent years, applications from Chinese journalists to work in the US are seldom approved.