Ursula Gauthier of the French news magazine L’Obs, has been effectively expelled from China over an article she wrote critical of Beijing’s policy on its Muslim Uighur minority.
China expels French journalist for "championing terrorism"
Beijing refused to grant an extension to her press credentials citing a report she wrote which “supports acts of violence by Uighurs” that China considers a terrorist activity.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Ursula will not be allowed to continue working in China for refusing to apologise for her article.
“She did not make a serious apology to the Chinese public for her erroneous remarks on terrorist actions, and is no longer suitable to continue working in China,” said Lu Kang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.
According to the authorities, she published a report which blatantly championed acts of terrorism and slaughter of innocent civilians, igniting indignation among the Chinese people.
Gauthier’s article published after the Paris attack in November suggested China’s solidarity with France might have an ulterior motive – to justify its own crackdowns in Xinjiang.
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Hundreds have been killed in recent years in the region beset by ethnic tensions which Uighur groups blame on repressive government policies.
China has however denied any human rights abuses and says it faces a campaign from Islamist radicals and separatists.
Ms Gauthier is the second foreign journalist to be expelled from China since Al-Jazeera correspondent Melissa Chan in 2012.
Trial by Internet. China's expulsion of French journalist ugauthier is a step deeper into dark. Here's why. https://t.co/RJFzHw99j0— jonathanwatts (jonathanwatts) December 28, 2015