China accuses US of racial discrimination

China on Monday said US President Donald Trump's threat to revoke the visas of Chinese students was "outright political persecution and racial discrimination".

Trump on Friday said he would be suspending the visas of students affiliated with educational institutions in China linked to the People's Liberation Army of Chinese intelligence.

At a daily news briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian urged the US to immediately revoke the decision and protect the rights and interests of Chinese students that are studying in the US.

Trump was also criticised for declaring an end of trading privileges for Hong Kong.

Zhao said the measure "seriously violate the market competition principle" and "further damage the social foundation" of China-US relationship.