US Visa Policy Latest News: Recently, the US government’s Department of Homeland Security introduced new and stricter visa restrictions. Now, China has described those restrictions as ‘discriminatory’ and also threatened to retaliate.
US Visa Policy Latest News: China’s Full Statement
Today, the Chinese government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement in response to the new visa restrictions unveiled by the Department of Homeland Security.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the ministry slammed those restrictions as ‘discriminatory’. Jian also stated that Beijing reserves the right to take countermeasures and urged Washington to withdraw them.
“China urges the U.S. to immediately revoke its discriminatory policies targeting Chinese journalists and effectively safeguard their lawful rights and interests in the U.S”, he stated.
US Visa Policy Latest News: What are the New Visa Restrictions?
According to the new visa restrictions shared by the US government’s Department of Homeland Security:
-
The visas of Chinese journalists in the US will only be valid for a 90 day period. However, this will apply to journalists from mainland China, since Hong Kong & Macau have been excluded.
-
All members of the press from foreign countries would receive I-visas with a clearly stipulated time period (240 days for others but 90 days for China).
-
Student & exchange visa period visas would be capped at 4 years.
These new restrictions will most likely come into effect 60 days after their publication in the federal register, pending congressional review. Apart from the updated visa policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stated that any foreign nationals who finance, recruit, incite, or facilitate any networks associated with violent left-wing or far-left extremist groups will be denied entry into the US, which comes as another blow to China’s media industry.
US Visa Policy Latest News: Why Did China Slam the Restrictions?
In the official statement, Jian pointed out that the new restrictions “seriously violates the three-point consensus on media issues reached between China and the U.S. in 2021, and seriously affects the normal work of Chinese media in the U.S”. The foreign ministry spokesperson is referring to the 2021 bilateral consensus on media relations which was agreed upon by both countries.
US Visa Policy Latest News: American Authorities Response to China’s Rebuke
American authorities have not issued any specific response to China’s critique of the new visa restrictions. But while introducing them, the DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin described them as necessary measures to combat immigration fraud, eliminate oversight loopholes, and protect national security.
The DHS & the Department of State have rejected allegations of an anti immigrant sentiment but maintained a stricter vetting process is necessary. The move will most likely worsen tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have persisted despite Donald Trump’s bilateral visit in May.
