China received a wave of criticism from the White House, after Beijing officials reportedly forced a New York Times journalist to leave the country.
Capitol Hill spokesperson Jay Carney said the removal of reporter Austin Ramzy left the United States "very disappointed," according to a report by the Calgary Herald.
"These restrictions and treatment are not consistent with freedom of the press - and stand in stark contrast with U.S. treatment of Chinese and other foreign journalists," Carney wrote in a statement, adding that a handful of other American journalists were forced to wait on the Chinese government for press clearance and visas.
Carney also urged China to loosen up on its firm grip on the media, pushing officials to allow United States media sites and lift bans on foreign journalists who travel to write about the area.
Ramzy is the second journalist from the New York Times who had to leave China over visa problems in the past 13 months.
China's legislation over media rights has been a constant point of contention for the United States, which holds freedom of speech and press in high esteem. Beijing officials often are wary of foreign coverage, and perception of the country abroad.
Thursday's news comes just one month after Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the issues that journalists working for American media outlets encounter in the mainland.