3 Xinhua journalists asked to leave India after intelligence red flag/ENG

2016. július 24./Phayul.com/TibetPress

eredeti cikk

By Tenzin Monlam

DHARAMSHALA, July 24: In an unprecedented move, the Indian government has decided to expel three Chinese journalists working for the state-run news agency Xinhua after they were red flagged by the intelligence agencies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Indian government has declined renewal of work visa for the three senior journalists - Wu Qiang and Lu Tang, Bureau Chief in Delhi and Mumbai respectively, and a Mumbai-based reporter She Yonggang. They have been asked to leave the country by July 31.

Since no official reasons were given, it is alleged that they were involved in activities beyond their journalistic duties. According to the Indian daily Times of India, the step was taken after the intelligence agencies reported them of ‘impersonating other people and visiting restricted facilities under assumed names.’

In midst of all the border and NSG tension between the two super powers of Asia, this move by India could harm the already strained relations.

Xinhua is yet to make official statement on the matter and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also refrained from making any official comments.

Wu has been stationed in India at the Delhi Bureau office on extended visa for 6 years and the other two were also on visa extensions.