China and India have been kicking out each other's accredited journalists recently, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, amid tense bilateral relations that could affect their cooperation as members of the BRICS grouping that also includes Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said last week that New Delhi has refused to review and approve visa applications for Chinese journalists since 2020 and there is only one Chinese reporter in India, for whom the visa has not been renewed.

With the number of Chinese journalists stationed in India about to drop to zero, Beijing has "no choice but to take appropriate countermeasures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese media organizations," Mao said at a press conference on May 31.

The Wall Street Journal reported on May 30 that Indian media outlets had four remaining journalists based in China at the beginning of the year, but at least two of them had not been granted visas to return to the country, citing a Chinese official.

According to a Xinhua News Agency report moved on Sunday, its New Delhi branch now has only one journalist working with a valid visa.