China warns of ‘countermeasures’ to US stay limits for journalists

China warned on Friday it could take “countermeasures” after Washington finalised rules shortening how long journalists can stay in the United States, with Chinese nationals facing the strictest limits.

Under a change that could be implemented as soon as September, foreign journalists would be limited to stays of just 240 days, or around eight months, but could apply for extensions of similar duration.

Chinese nationals would get just 90 days, with extensions of 90 days, under the rules proposed by Washington’s Department of Homeland Security.

“China is firmly opposed to the United States’ discriminatory actions targeting specific countries,” a spokesperson for Beijing’s foreign ministry said.

“China demands the United States immediately undo its discriminatory policies against Chinese journalists,” Lin Jian told a regular news briefing.

“China reserves the right to take reciprocal countermeasures,” he added, without elaborating.

The new US visa limits are part of a broader immigration crackdown that Trump has made a centerpiece of his presidency, spanning aggressive enforcement operations in major cities as well as new restrictions on legal pathways to citizenship.

Media rights groups assailed the new rules, with Reporters Without Borders (RSF) telling AFP on Thursday it was “outraged” over the limitations.

The new rules are subject to review by the Republican-led Congress.