BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The All-China Journalists Association Friday issued a statement voicing strong condemnation and firm opposition to a demand made by the U.S. State Department to cap the number of U.S.-based Chinese journalists.

Describing the U.S. move as de-facto expulsion of Chinese journalists, the association said that the actions have seriously violated the normal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in carrying out news reporting overseas, damaged the reputation of Chinese media and journalists and interfered with their normal work abroad.

While priding itself on freedom of the press, the United States now grossly infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists and obstructs the Chinese media from their normal reporting tasks. "Such two-faced behavior exposed its hypocrisy in so-called freedom of the press, nothing short of double standards and hegemonic bullying," the association said in the statement.

Chinese journalists stationed in the United States have been strictly abiding by U.S. laws and regulations and carrying out news reporting under the principle of objectivity, fairness, truthfulness and accuracy, playing a positive role in enhancing communication and understanding between the Chinese and U.S. people, promoting strategic mutual trust between China and the United States, and enhancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, the statement said.

China has respected and guaranteed the media of various countries to carry out normal reporting activities in the country in accordance with the law, and has never imposed any restriction on the number of U.S. media organizations or personnel in China, it added.

The association called on the United States to abandon its Cold War mentality and political oppression based on ideological prejudice.

The U.S. side is urged to immediately stop gross interference with the normal operation of Chinese media, stop infringement of the lawful rights and interests of Chinese journalists, and take immediate measures to correct its wrongdoings such as labeling Chinese media outlets in a discriminatory manner, capping the number of Chinese journalists, and setting visa barriers for Chinese journalists stationed in the United States, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in the United States, according to the statement.