Chinese president Xi Jinping has met Rupert Murdoch and assured him China will remain open to the world’s media despite the Beijing regime still withholding residence visas for foreign reporters.

Xi met Murdoch, executive chairman of News Corporation, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, according to the official Xinhua news agency.



“[We] welcome foreign media and correspondents to cover China stories, introducing China’s development to the world, and helping the world grasp the opportunities [afforded by] China’s development,” Xi said during the meeting.



Xi’s comments come as journalists from some foreign news organisations have been forced to cover the country from outside its borders after publishing stories about the top leadership’s wealth.



China blocked the websites of both the New York Times and Bloomberg News after they published investigations in 2012 into the family wealth of former premier Wen Jiabao and Xi.



The United States has rebuked China over its treatment of foreign media but Xi has sought to redirect blame for the visas troubles back on the news organisations. During a joint press conference with US president Barack Obama in Beijing last year, Xi likened the visa troubles to a car crash.

“When a car breaks down on the road,” Xi said through an interpreter, “perhaps we need to get out of the car and see where the problem lies. The Chinese say, ‘let he who tied the bell on the tiger take it off’.”

Overly flattering pic of me on today's China Daily front. Bit like Washpost and NYT coverage of a resplendent Hillary. — Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 19, 2015

Murdoch is reexamining business opportunities in the world’s second largest economy after early attempts to crack the market failed.



Murdoch’s film and television company, 21st Century Fox, plans to set up amusement parks in the country featuring themes from Fox properties Ice Age, Alien and The Simpsons.

In March, Reuters became the latest foreign news organisation to be blocked in China joining Bloomberg, the New York Times and the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal.



The meeting between Xi and Murdoch comes shortly before the Chinese president makes his first state visit to the US next week where he will meet with his US counterpart Barack Obama.



During his meeting with Murdoch, Xi said the purpose of his trip to the US will be to boost practical cooperation and cement friendship between the two nations.



“Common interests outweigh the differences between China and the United States,” Xi said.



Murdoch told the Chinese president the Wall Street Journal and other branches of News Corp will fully cover the US visit, according to Xinhua.

He assured Xi News Corp will “work to foster mutual understanding and boost cooperation between the two nations”.