China warned on Friday it may take “countermeasures” after Washington finalized rules cutting the length of stay of journalists in the United States, with Chinese nationals facing tighter limits.
Under a change that could take effect as early as September, foreign journalists will be limited to stays of just 240 days, or about eight months, but can apply for extensions of similar duration.
Chinese nationals will have just 90 days, with a 90-day extension, under rules proposed by Washington’s Department of Homeland Security.
“China opposes the discriminatory actions of the United States targeting specific countries,” said a spokesman for Beijing’s foreign ministry.
“China demands that the United States immediately undo its discriminatory policies against Chinese journalists,” Lin Jian said at a regular news conference.
“China reserves the right to take reciprocal countermeasures,” he added, without giving details.
The new US visa limits are part of a broader immigration crackdown that Trump has made a centerpiece of his presidency, including aggressive enforcement operations in major cities as well as new restrictions on legal pathways to citizenship.
Media rights groups attacked the new rules, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) telling AFP on Thursday it was “outraged” by the restrictions.
The new rules are subject to review by the Republican-led Congress.
