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China on Wednesday said it has asked four U.S. media outlets to submit in writing information on their operations in China, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian at a regular press briefing.

The Associated Press, United Press International, CBS and NPR must report details on their staff and financial operations in the country – as well as details of any real estate they hold in China within seven days, said Zhao.

The actions are entirely necessary countermeasures in response to unreasonable suppression by the U.S. side against Chinese media outlets, stressed Zhao, urging the U.S. to rectify its wrongdoings and stop its political suppression against Chinese media.

The statement came after the United States said on June 22 that it would start treating four major Chinese media outlets: China Central Television, the China News Service, The People's Daily and the Global Times,as foreign embassies.