China expands press restrictions to economic and technology reporting

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China released its “Media Freedoms Report 2025: The New Abnormal” on July 13, concluding that foreign journalists in China face growing restrictions, intimidation and surveillance. 94 % of the 89 respondents said the reporting environment rarely meets international press‑freedom standards.

The report notes that sensitive topics have broadened beyond politics to include the economy and technology. New subjects cited over the past year include youth unemployment, demographic decline, the property crisis, U.S.–China trade tensions, rare‑earth supplies and emerging technologies. Operational hurdles are also rising: 64 % reported police obstruction, 29 % waited more than a year for visas, 79 % believe their WeChat communications are monitored, and 40 % say Chinese colleagues have faced government pressure.

These findings portray an increasingly hostile environment for foreign correspondents, signalling a “new normal” of state control over media coverage in China.