China is expelling a French journalist over her terrorism coverage

China is expelling French journalist Ursula Gauthier after she criticized the country's rhetoric on terrorism in a November essay, the foreign ministry confirmed Saturday. The move marks the first time since 2012 that China has expelled a journalist, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Gauthier, who serves as Beijing correspondent for L'Obs, a Paris-based weekly magazine, had suggested the capital's solidarity with Paris following the Nov. 13 attacks had "ulterior motives," The Washington Post reports, with the country looking to tie local violence in Xinjiang to international terrorism.

Chinese officials had said they wouldn't give Gauthier press credentials next year, which she'd need to renew her visa, unless she apologized. Gauthier has refused.

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