Expulsions lead BBC to fear for reporters in authoritarian regimes

Broadcaster says relations with China and Russia are fraught as its correspondent Sarah Rainsford is forced out of Moscow

BBC news executives vowed on Saturday night to continue to report from Russia and China despite growing fears that both countries are becoming increasingly difficult to cover.

After a surprise Russian move last week that will force correspondent Sarah Rainsford permanently out of Moscow at the end of the month, a senior figure in BBC news said that Russia's decision not to renew her visa marks a new low in relations. Efforts are being made to keep communications open but the feeling is that Sarah is sadly right when she says she doesn't see Russia changing its mind," he said.