China has revoked the press credentials of three journalists from the Wall Street Journal, citing the paper's "racist-like" remarks on China and attacks on China's media, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Wednesday.
The Wall Street Journal carried a recent article by Walter Russell Mead who used the term "sick man" to describe China and smeared the efforts of the Chinese government and people on fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.
The paper has so far neither made an official apology regarding the article nor informed the ministry of what it plans to do with the persons involved despite China's solemn representation.
Such "racially discriminatory" headlines, according to Geng, betrayed journalistic ethics and tainted the real meaning of freedom of expression, "triggering indignation and condemnation among the Chinese people and the international community."
"The Chinese people do not welcome those media that speak racially discriminatory language and maliciously slander and attack China," he said.
"As such, it is decided that from today, the press cards of three WSJ journalists will be revoked," the spokesperson announced.
Geng stated that China handles affairs related to foreign journalists in accordance with laws and regulations and reiterated that the country will continue to offer support and convenience to journalists based on international conventions.
