The Daily Kicked Out of China
Apr 16, 2020
Paul Mozur, Asia technology reporter for The New York Times, shares his harrowing experience of being forced to leave China after a decade of reporting. He delves into the emotional turmoil of sudden expulsion amidst rising tensions and government surveillance. Mozur also discusses the unsettling rise of xenophobia during the pandemic, particularly against minority groups. He highlights the impact of misinformation regarding COVID-19 origins and the need for better communication in strained U.S.-China relations moving forward.
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Expulsion Notice
- Paul Mozur received a late-night memo from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The memo stated that all New York Times reporters, along with reporters from The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, were to leave China within weeks.
Reasons for Expulsion
- While officially a tit-for-tat response to U.S. restrictions on Chinese state media, the expulsion reflects deeper issues.
- Chinese state media cited critical coverage of the coronavirus response and Xinjiang as reasons for the expulsion.
Hefei Reporting Trip
- Mozur decided to take one last reporting trip to Hefei to observe post-epidemic life.
- He and his colleague faced constant police surveillance, hindering their ability to interview people.