Irony alert! AP reporter appreciates WH fighting to get media more access (in China)

This story about the fight between White House staff and Chinese govt officials in front of the press is amazing

— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) September 3, 2016

President Obama’s arrival in China as part of his climate change “legacy” tour (and for the G20 Summit) was not without incident:

Some weirdness this morning at Pres Obama touches down in China–SCREAMING MATCHES between Chinese and US officials, over press access!

— Michelle Kosinski (@MichLKosinski) September 3, 2016

White House staffers were arguing with Chinese officials in order to get the U.S. press corps greater access:

Some drama as Obama landed in China via pooler @carolelee pic.twitter.com/2d0JHzRzn8

— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 3, 2016

Another strong effort by the WH pushing back against China’s attempts to limit press access https://t.co/w5Emt8pAYi pic.twitter.com/rVXSPeOrKR

— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 3, 2016

Chaotic scene on runway as Obama arrived in China, with Chinese official screaming at top US officials about presence of US press, per pool

— Ben Gittleson (@bgittleson) September 3, 2016

Chinese hostile to press at summit refusing to let white house pool reporters do their job covering @POTUS on arrival

— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) September 3, 2016

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Chinese officials have multiple fights with White House staff and U.S. press corps in Beijing https://t.co/yKVKbAxUJY

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) September 3, 2016

One AP reporter thanked the White House going to bat for the media:

Much appreciation to White House press, advance staff for fighting tooth-and-nail today to get full press pool into Obama events in China

— Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) September 3, 2016

Well, there’s a first time for everything:

https://twitter.com/bloodless_coup/status/772021459275378688

Judging from these flashbacks, the irony is indeed thick:

White House press corps revolts over lack of Obama access http://t.co/U8MyzTkoUm

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 21, 2013

AP: Obama ‘limiting press access in ways that past administrations wouldn’t have dared’ http://t.co/8jeesOUgoL jh

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) April 1, 2013