In tit-for-tat move, China slaps curbs on US diplomats
Beijing, December 6
China on Friday said it had taken “reciprocal” measures against US diplomats in the country, saying they will have to notify the foreign ministry before meeting with local officials.
…and goodwill gesture
Beijing: China will waiver tariffs on “some” imports of US soybean and pork, it said on Friday, in the latest sign of easing trade tensions between Beijing and Washington as they try to finalise a partial trade pact. The world’s two biggest economies have exchanged blows for more than a year, with levies now imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars in two-way trade. AFP
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China had notified the US embassy of the new measures, which she said were a “countermeasure” to Washington’s decision in October to restrict Chinese diplomats.
“We once again urge the US side to correct its mistakes and revoke the relevant rules,” she told reporters at a press briefing.
In October, the US ordered Chinese diplomats to notify the State Department in advance of any official meetings with US diplomats, local or municipal officials, and before any visits to colleges or research institutions.
Washington called the move “reciprocal”, with a senior State Department official citing the inability of US diplomats to meet with a range of Chinese officials and academics. On Friday, Hua said that US diplomats would have to notify the foreign ministry five working days in advance, and that China would respond “according to the US’s practice.” — AFP
