ISTANBUL

Beijing on Tuesday slammed the US government-backed media outlet Voice of America (VOA) for its “notorious track record in China coverage," state media reported.

The statement by the Foreign Ministry came after all full-time staff at the VOA, the largest US government-funded international broadcaster, were informed Saturday that they had been placed on administrative leave.

Responding to a question by reporters that some Chinese media called VOA a “lie factory,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a news conference in Beijing: “It's no secret that some US media outlets you mentioned have a notorious track record in their China coverage.”

Her comments came after the Chinese state media hailed the decision by US President Donald Trump, who on Friday signed an executive order mandating significant budget cuts at the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the agency overseeing VOA and other state-funded news organizations, including funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

Since Saturday, VOA employees were barred from accessing the headquarters in Washington, DC. Some were sent home while en route, while freelancers, stringers, and those on monthly contracts were also stopped from working due to a lack of funds.

Chinese daily Global Times called out VOA for its "appalling track record" and said it has "now been discarded by its own government like a dirty rag."

"Known for stirring up conflicts, inciting social divisions, and even participating in regime change efforts, VOA is widely recognized as Washington's carefully crafted propaganda machine," the Beijing-based daily wrote.

The White House has defended its move to defund USAGM, saying it will "ensure that taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda.”