Biden Says China Must Loosen Its Grip on Foreign Journalists

Updated Dec. 5, 2013 12:40 p.m. ET

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrives at Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, on Thursday. Reuters

BEIJING—Vice President Joe Biden criticized China’s treatment of foreign journalists and pushed its leaders to loosen their control over Chinese society, as he touched on human-rights issues that in the past have exacerbated tensions between Washington and Beijing.
In a wide-ranging speech before executives of U.S. businesses in China on Thursday, Mr. Biden also called on China to create an even playing field for all businesses operating in the country, amid worries by some foreign companies over government scrutiny and heightened competition from Chinese companies.

A street vendor sells newspapers in Guangzhou, southern China. Associated Press

Mr. Biden praised China’s pledge last month to implement broad economic changes. But he said China’s leaders should also loosen the country’s controls over politics and the media if it hopes to compete economically.
“Innovation thrives where people breathe freely, speak freely, are able to challenge orthodoxy, where newspapers can report the truth without fear of consequences,” he said.

" Innovation thrives where people breathe freely, speak freely, are able to challenge orthodoxy, where newspapers can report the truth without fear of consequences. "
—Vice President Joseph Biden

“We have many disagreements, and some profound disagreements, on some of those issues right now, in the treatment of U.S. journalists,” Mr. Biden added. “But I believe China will be stronger and more stable and more innovative if it respects universal human rights.”
At a dailypress briefing Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China manages issues concerning foreign journalists “in accordance with laws and regulations.”

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“These past few years we have provided a very convenient environment for foreign journalists to conduct reporting in China—the results of that are plain for all to see,” he said. “If you look at it objectively and fairly, I think you will come to the correct conclusion about the work and living environment for foreign journalists in China.”
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Gerard Baker, editor in chief of the Journal, said, “We are eager to continue to bring the world’s news to China and China’s news to the world. Transparency enhances trust, the foundation for robust and prosperous societies. That has never been more important now that China is the world’s second-largest economy and its decisions affect businesses and people around the world.”
A spokeswoman for Reuters said the news agency “continues to update and operate the website as usual and hopes access will be restored soon,” said a spokeswoman for the news agency, owned by Thomson Reuters Corp. TRI.T -1.09% Thomson Reuters Corp. Canada: Toronto $39.09 -0.43 -1.09% Dec. 5, 2013 4:16 pm Volume : 835,561 P/E Ratio 37.03 Market Cap $32.69 Billion Dividend Yield 3.45% Rev. per Employee $219,107 11/13/13 Google Gets the Picture: More … 11/10/13 In Latest Press Restriction, C… 10/29/13 Thomson Reuters to Cut 3,000 J… More quote details and news » TRI.T in Your Value Your Change Short position
In a statement, New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson said, “Unfettered coverage of China is a crucial issue at a time when it is such an important and compelling story. We have made a major commitment to covering China and are eager that our staff can continue to work there normally.”
A Bloomberg spokeswoman declined to comment.
Last month, the Foreign Correspondents Club of China said difficulties in granting resident journalist visas has added to “the impression that the visa process is being used by authorities to intimidate journalists and media organizations.”
China has chafed in the past at criticism of its human-rights record; it considers the criticism interference in its internal affairs. China cites its booming economy, lifting millions of people out of poverty, as a human-rights triumph and it often points to what it says are human-rights violations in the U.S.
In his speech, Mr. Biden said that in his talks with Chinese leaders he has pressed for such measures as increased legal transparency, bilateral investment, intellectual property protection and market-driven exchange rates. “It’s not a surprise that a number of American companies are coming home in their manufacturing,” he said. “Why? We have very productive workers, but also we have court systems that are totally transparent. Intellectual property is protected. It matters.”
China’s economic blueprint includes ambitious structural reforms that include more free trade, creating more investment freedoms for foreign corporations and diminishing favoritism of state-backed companies. The blueprint has won praise from many economists who say China must reduce its dependence on traditional growth engines such as exports and government spending.
Some foreign business leaders, while hopeful, are skeptical that reforms may be slow to roll out or may not benefit all companies. “My concern is that implementation happens the right way,” said Gregory Gilligan, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, a business trade organization. He said that the government is heading in the right direction by announcing plans to roll out land reforms and relax migration controls for its citizens, yet it isn’t known how or when the reforms will be rolled out.
—Josh Chin contributed to this article.
Write to Carlos Tejada at carlos.tejada@wsj.com and Laurie Burkitt at laurie.burkitt@wsj.com

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