US tightens rules on Chinese state media over 'propaganda' concerns

State department told five Chinese outlets they would need approval to buy property, and must submit lists of employees

The United States has tightened rules on Chinese state media organizations as it classified them as foreign missions, decrying what US officials described as Beijing’s growing “propaganda”.

In a step likely to anger Beijing, the state department told five outlets including the Xinhua news agency and the China Global Television Network that they will need to seek approval to buy any property.