The Chinese Foreign Ministry requires US diplomats to give 5 days notice if they want to meet Chinese officials.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hoa Xuan Oanh called it a "countermeasure" with a similar decision in October by the United States, imposing restrictive measures on Chinese diplomats. She said China announced the measure to the US embassy in Beijing on December 4.

"We are again calling on the US to correct its mistakes and revoke the relevant rules," Hoa said at a press conference in Beijing today.

Ms. Hoa emphasized that US diplomats would have to notify the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs 5 working days in advance if they want to meet local officials. Beijing will then respond based on the activities of Washington diplomats.

The US in October required Chinese diplomats to inform the State Department before each official meeting with U.S. diplomats, city or state officials, as well as before any Any visit to universities or research institutes.

Washington interpreted the move as a "countermeasure" with Beijing, when a series of US foreign officials said they could not meet Chinese officials and scholars.

The US embassy in Beijing declined to comment.