China says US has 'weaponised' visas to target exchanges

China on Wednesday accused the US of having "weaponised" the issuance of visas following the reported inability of a top Chinese space program official to obtain permission to travel to a key conference in Washington.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that the head of the Chinese delegation to the International Astronautical Congress wasn't able to obtain a visa following an October 12 interview, making it difficult for Chinese representatives to attend important events at the meeting.

Reports said the vice chairman of the China National Space Administration, Wu Yanhua, had planned to attend the congress.

Hua said the US has "weaponised" visa issuances and "repeatedly defied international responsibilities and obligations and impeded normal international exchanges and cooperation."
Hua said that "for some time, the US has frequently rejected and delayed visa applications, revoked long-term visas of Chinese applicants and investigated and harassed the Chinese scholars, students, businesspeople, and scientific and technical personnel."