BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- China deplores and rejects the wrong decision of the United States to designate five Chinese media outlets as "foreign missions," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Wednesday.

According to reports, the U.S. government will require these media outlets to register their properties and employees in the U.S.

Media play an important role like a bridge or bond facilitating communication and understanding between people of different countries, Geng told an online press briefing.

Chinese media's resident offices in the U.S. have long been covering news following the principle of objectivity, impartiality, truth and accuracy, and have helped to promote mutual understanding, communication and cultural exchange between the two countries, he said.

Geng said while the U.S. takes great pride in its press freedom, it is wantonly restricting and thwarting Chinese media outlets' normal operation there, which is unjustified and unacceptable.

"We urge the U.S. to discard its ideological prejudice and Cold War zero-sum game mentality, and stop ill-advised measures that undermine bilateral trust and cooperation," said Geng, adding that China reserves the right to take further measures in response.