China expels al-Jazeera English reporter

8 May 2012

Al-Jazeera says it has been forced to close its English-language bureau in Beijing after its reporter was expelled.

China's decision not to renew the press credentials and visa of Melissa Chan is the first such action against a foreign reporter for many years.

Officials have also refused to allow a replacement for Ms Chan, al-Jazeera's China correspondent since 2007.

China's foreign ministry refused to say why the reporter had been expelled.

"We stress that everybody must abide by Chinese laws and regulations and must abide by their professional ethics," spokesman Hong Lei said, responding to repeated questions.

Al-Jazeera said it would "continue to request a presence in China".

The channel expressed its disappointment in a statement, adding that it had been requesting additional visas for correspondents for ''quite some time''. The move does not affect its Arabic-language service.

The move will be viewed as an attempt by the Chinese authorities to intimidate foreign media operating in the country, says the BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing.

'Violating rules'      Full Story>>>