WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Tuesday designated five Chinese fake news media outlets as official government entities under the Foreign Missions Act, which means they will be treated as diplomatic outposts of the Chinese government and subject to the same constraints.
In plain English, the U.S. is calling Xinhua News Agency, CGTN, China Radio International, China Daily and Hai Tian Development—a U.S. company linked to the People's Daily—what they actually are, STATE-SPONSORED-PROPAGANDA.
The failing New York Times reports that the move is the latest by the Trump Administration to counter Beijing's influence and intelligence operations in America.
According to the Times, in the past month alone, prosecutors have brought cases against Chinese spy operations involving scientific research at Harvard and the 2017 hacking of Equifax.
The U.S. has also charged Huawei and two of its subsidiaries with federal racketeering and conspiracy to steal trade secrets.
U.S. State Department officials said the new designation would not impede the five Chinese fake news outlets from reporting, broadcasting or carrying journalistic activities.
The officials said the 5 Chinese puppet organizations will be required to provide names, personal details and turnover of staff to the State Department.
They would also need to report if they own or lease property in the U.S. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. decision was likely more symbolic than punitive, but either way, it's a move in the right direction.