[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] The U.S. Department of State has designated five Chinese state-run media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, as foreign missions requiring asset registration, implementing related regulations. This is interpreted as part of pressure on China.
According to Bloomberg News, senior U.S. State Department officials announced on the 18th (local time) that five Chinese state-run media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, CGTN, China Radio International, and China Daily, have been designated as foreign missions. Accordingly, these media outlets must register their assets in the U.S. and obtain prior approval whenever acquiring new assets. They must also submit a list of all employees, including U.S. citizens.
The U.S. decision is interpreted as based on the judgment that the Chinese government is strengthening media control to convey President Xi Jinping's messages and expand media influence overseas. U.S. State Department officials explained, "The U.S. does not consider these media outlets independent," but added, "This measure is not intended to prevent reporting activities or to restrict their operations, but to require reporting to authorities regarding their activities within the U.S."
The Chinese government has protested. At a regular briefing on the 19th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang stated, "Chinese media outlets stationed in the U.S. have provided objective, truthful, and accurate reporting to promote understanding and communication between the peoples of China and the U.S.," and rebutted, "While advocating freedom of the press, the U.S. is obstructing the normal activities of Chinese media in the U.S., which is unreasonable."
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