Lead

Indian embassy officials met representatives of China's state-run Xinhua news agency in Beijing on June 24, according to two reports published in the South China Morning Post and The Hindu. The meeting, which involved Shweta Singh, a minister at the Indian embassy, and Wang Jianxin, Deputy Director-General of Xinhua's Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Department, is part of broader efforts to improve bilateral relations between the two countries. It comes as China pushes for the restoration of visas for its journalists and ahead of a possible visit by President Xi Jinping later this year, the South China Morning Post reported.

Coverage comparisons

The South China Morning Post's account, based on people familiar with the matter, framed the engagement as part of Beijing's pressure on New Delhi to issue visas and described the meeting as an "initial engagement" that would not lead to immediate decisions. The newspaper also highlighted that India had asked the last accredited Xinhua correspondent to leave in June 2023, marking a low point in media reporting between the two sides. The Hindu, on the other hand, framed the same meeting within the broader context of India-China normalisation, noting the resumption of the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra, visas, and flights. It also reported the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's call for promoting exchanges in including media, after his meeting with NSA Ajit Doval.

Key Claims

  • An Indian embassy official of the minister in Beijing, Shweta Singh, and Wang Jianxin, Deputy Director-General of Foreign Affairs at Xinhua, held talks on June 24, as reported by both the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
  • The meeting was part of an overall effort by the Indian embassy to engage senior editors at leading Chinese media organisations, according to the South China Morning Post.
  • Both countries have resumed the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra, visas and flights, reported by The Hindu.
  • China has repeatedly called for restoration of visas for its journalists, The Hindu reported.
  • Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi asked for promoted exchanged in various fields, including media, when meeting NSA Ajit Doval last week, The Hindu reported.
  • India asked the last accredited Xinhua correspondent to leave in June 2023, the South China Morning Post reported.
  • A possible visit by President Xi Jinping later this year was mentioned in the South China Morning Post's report, citing unofficial sources.

Perspectives

  • India: The Indian embassy has described the meeting as a part of efforts to enhance engagement with Chinese media, but according to the South China Morning Post, officials consider it as initial engagement and that substantive progress will take time.
  • China: The Chinese government continues to call for restoration of visas for its journalists. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in particular, has separately urged both countries to promote exchanges in many fields, including media, as part of the general normalisation process.