China's Foreign Ministry Wednesday confirmed that the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) had recently made contacts to the Chinese government and admitted its mistake in publishing a February opinion piece which carried a headline that was deemed racist.

While the ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the paper has so far not responded to China's demands which has been reiterated many times – a formal apology and a probe into relevant people responsible for the column.

Last week, China decided to revoke the press credentials of three WSJ reporters in the wake of the opinion piece titled "China is the Real Sick Man of Asia," which was published on the WSJ on February 3, saying the article has triggered anger and condemnation among the Chinese people and blatantly insulted China.

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When asked to respond on commentary that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made to accuse China of violating so-called freedom of speech, the spokesman lashed out at his "repellent" words which China expressed firm opposition to.

"Judging from remarks made by the U.S. official, there are two things I have to make clear," Zhao said.

First, Pompeo's voice is in disregard of abundant facts. Second, Pompeo's attitude towards freedom of speech is totally "double standard" based on his "revenge" against NPR journalist, Zhao noted.

WSJ's article is not about editorial independence or freedom of speech. It is about the mistaken choice of a headline with obvious racial discrimination, Zhu emphasized, adding that even WSJ itself admitted mistakes, why does Pompeo insist openly support the media agency?

"Can this be viewed as evidence that the WSJ is actually the agent of the U.S. government?"

Also, Pompeo's ban on NPR reporter from traveling with him after testy interview implied his "double standard" for freedom of speech, Zhao reiterated.