China extended new press credentials to several reporters at Bloomberg News and the New York Times despite their critical reporting of Chinese government officials, reports James Areddy of The Wall Street Journal.
Areddy writes, “China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued 2014 press cards for an unspecified number of China-based reporters, the organizations said. For foreign reporters in China, a press card issued by the central government is the primary prerequisite for obtaining an annual residence visa to live and work in the nation.
“‘We have received all of our China press cards and continue to operate as usual,’ said Belina Tan, a Bloomberg LP spokeswoman. She declined further comment.
“A Beijing-based correspondent for the Times, Edward Wong, said in a Twitter message Thursday that ‘some but not all have new press cards in hand,’ though he said none had yet obtained a visa. A spokeswoman for the Times didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Asked about the development Thursday at a regular briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said credentials were being handled according to China’s laws and ‘the normal schedule and process.'”
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