Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on March 2, said that the US was conducting “political oppression” on Chinese media in the US, and the move would seriously harm ties between the two countries. He said “The Americans broke the rules of the game first, and we have to follow.” He accused the US Department of State of making the decision based on a 'cold war mindset' and ideological bias, and showing hypocrisy about freedom of press. Pang Zhongying, a Beijing-based international relations scholar, said “This is a typical cold war symptom, and the China-US relationship has developed quite some symptoms." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying tweeted (March 3) "Reciprocity? 29 US media agencies in China VS 9 Chinese ones in the US. Multiple-entry to China VS Single-entry to the US. 21 Chinese journalists denied visas since last year. Now the US kicked off the game, let's play."

(Comment: The US decision means about 60 Chinese media workers will probably have to leave the U.S. by March 13, 2020.)