WASHINGTON: The departing Trump administration has ended five cultural-exchange programs with China. It says that the cultural programs were being used for Chinese propaganda and had were not benefiting the United States.
The terminations follow new visa restrictions limiting stays in the US was announced by Washington by members of China's Communist Party and signal further erosion in relations with Beijing in the final weeks of President Donald Trump's time in office.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the exchange programs ended were fully paid for and operated by the Chinese government “as soft power propaganda tools.” Slamming China for its claimed authoritarian regime in Tibet, a top American diplomat has urged other countries to pass their own versions of a US law that calls for denying access to the US for Chinese officials known to be involved in restricting visits to the remote Himalayan region. Each program allowed US officials to travel in China at Beijing's expense. Pompeo said the US welcomes “the reciprocal and fair exchange of cultural programs” with China and mutually beneficial ones will continue.
The administration of Trump has taken a variety of disciplinary measures against China as disputes to sharpen over human rights, the coronavirus pandemic, trade, technology, Taiwan, and many other issues. Trump's steps are subject to being reversed after Democrat Joe Biden becomes president on January 20.
Also Read:-
United States notch record for coronavirus cases in one day
