President Donald Trump’s move to close the agency that oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Asia has drawn praise in China and Cambodia that have long been critical of US media outlets.

The dismantling of the international broadcaster and other U.S. government-funded news outlets was criticized as another blow to U.S. soft power efforts.

For the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced,” Michael Abramowitz, the organization's director, said in a statement.