Taiwan bans Chinese reporters

Taiwan has ordered mainland Chinese reporters to leave as retaliation against China's decision to pass a new law authorising an attack on Taiwan if it pushes for formal independence, an official said.

Reporters from China's official People's Daily and the Xinhua News Agency have been told to leave because they have failed to accurately report on Taiwan, said Taiwan's top policymaker on China.

"We've encouraged cultural exchanges to help the mainland understand Taiwan," said Joseph Wu, chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council. "But if these exchanges fail to foster understandings, we would have to come up with more effective measures."

Wu said Taiwan, however, may consider allowing reporters from some unofficial Chinese media. Most Chinese media is state-run, and Wu did not elaborate.

People's Daily and Xinhua have had reporters based in Taiwan since 2001.