Biden admin eases restrictions on Chinese journalists

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency Chinese President Xi Jinping, right and U.S. President Joe Biden appear on a screen as they hold a meeting via video link, in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. President Joe Biden opened his virtual meeting with China's President Xi Jinping by saying the goal of the two world leaders should be to ensure that competition between the two superpowers "does not veer into conflict." (Yue Yuewei/Xinhua via AP)

BEIJING – China and the U.S. have agreed to ease restrictions on journalists in an agreement reached ahead of the virtual summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden, the Chinese government-ran China Daily newspaper said.

Under the agreement, the U.S. will issue one-year multiple-entry visas to Chinese journalists and will initiate a process to address “duration of status” issues, China Daily said. China will reciprocate by granting equal treatment to U.S. journalists once the policies take effect.

“We hope that the U.S. will keep its promise to put the relevant measures and policies in place as soon as possible and work with China to create favorable conditions for both [nations’] media to continue to work and live in each other’s countries,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian in a statement.