Beijing: China appears poised to expel nearly two dozen foreign journalists at The New York Times and Bloomberg in a drastic escalation of pressure being placed on foreign news organisations operating in the country.

Reporters for the two US news organisations have faced extensive delays with visa renewals, after publishing a series of exposes on senior Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and former premier Wen Jiabao, that have embarrassed and angered the central government.

Difference of opinion: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang with US Vice-President Joe Biden in Beijing this week. Credit:Reuters

Fairfax Media has learned that one New York Times journalist has been told that a hold has been placed on all of its visa applications, and that some passports have been returned to correspondents without being processed. It is understood the situation is the same for reporters at Bloomberg.

Barring a dramatic reversal of fortunes, reporters for both organisations will be required to leave the country when their visas expire – in some cases, in less than two weeks' time.