赵立坚:中方高度重视媒体问题,一直尽最大努力为包括美国在内的外国记者在华依法依规报道提供协助、便利和服务。与此同时,对美方对中国驻美媒体的歧视性作法予以明确反对。经过多轮磋商,近日,双方本着相互尊重、对等互惠的原则达成三项共识:
Zhao Lijian: China places great importance on the issue of media and has been doing its utmost to provide assistance, convenience and service to foreign journalists, including American journalists, in their reporting that is conducted in accordance with laws and regulations. In the meantime, we are unequivocally opposed to discriminatory practice on the US side against Chinese media in the US. After many rounds of consultations, China and the US recently reached a three-point consensus on the basis of mutual respect, reciprocity and mutual benefit:
一是双方相互保障在对方国家工作的现任常驻记者在严格遵守防疫政策和领事规定前提下可正常进出对方国家。
First, the two sides guarantee that both will allow the other side's currently-employed resident journalists unhindered exit and entry on the condition that they are in strict compliance with COVID response protocols and consular regulations.
二是双方同意为对方国家记者颁发一年多次入境签证。美方承诺将立即启动国内程序解决中国记者签证停留期问题,中方则承诺在美方政策措施到位后,给予驻华美媒记者同等待遇。
Second, the two sides agree to grant the other side's journalists one-year multiple-entry visas. The US side pledged to immediately start the domestic procedure to address the issue of Chinese journalists' duration of stay while the Chinese side pledged to accord US journalists in China the same treatment after US policies and measures are in place.
三是双方将依法依规为符合申请要求的新任常驻记者对等审批签证。
Third, the two sides will approve, in a reciprocal manner and in accordance with laws and regulations, the visa application of eligible journalists to be posted to the other side's country.
这一成果来之不易,符合双方媒体利益,值得珍惜。希望美方信守承诺,尽快将有关措施政策落实到位,同中方共同努力,为两国媒体在对方国家工作生活持续创造有利条件。
This hard-won outcome that serves the interests of the media on both sides should be cherished. It is hoped that the US can honor its words, put relevant measures and policies in place as soon as possible, and work with China to create a favorable environment for the work and life of journalists in each other's country.