China expelled a New York Times reporter over the US newspaper’s interview with Taiwanese leaders, as Beijing steps up efforts to isolate the self-ruled island from the world stage.Journalist Wang Weiwei was ordered to leave China in February, the New York Times reported, calling it the latest example of Beijing’s increasing pressure on foreign journalists. Chinese officials said the decision was in response to an interview Andrew Ross Sorkin gave to The New York Times in December, the newspaper reported.Wang, who has been working for the newspaper in Beijing since 2022, was not involved in the report. Lai’s interview was conducted via video link at the New York Times Summit in New York. The New York Times said that in retaliation, the Trump administration revoked the visa of a Chinese official media reporter based in the United States, adding that the Trump administration did not request tit-for-tat action.Chinese officials have complained about Wang’s reporting for months, according to the New York Times, which highlighted her reporting on sensitive issues such as censorship, Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and expanded state surveillance. The incident appears to indicate that Beijing is drawing a new red line to suppress Jimmy Lai, whom it labels a “separatist” and troublemaker.China’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment made outside business hours. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.(This is a report from Bloomberg)
