China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that China will retaliate if the U.S. continues escalating political suppression of Chinese media in the country.
"We urge the U.S. to stop political suppression of Chinese media and reporters or China will be forced to take necessary and proper actions to safeguard its legitimate interest," ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters during a daily press briefing on Tuesday.
Wang said the ministry understands that no Chinese journalist in the U.S. have had their application for a visa renewal approved so far and their visas are due to expire on August 6.
In May, the U.S. significantly shortened Chinese journalists' visa to 90 days with an option for an extension.
Wang did not reveal how China will hit back over the visa dispute but defended the possibility that China might target U.S. journalists based in Hong Kong, saying it's the central government's diplomatic power as Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China.
