PNN – In response to US sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials in March, Beijing announced that it would sanction a number of US officials, lawmakers, and heads of non-governmental organizations.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, quoting the Associated Press, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiaqun said (Monday): Beijing has decided to sanction US congressmen, officials and leaders of non-governmental organizations who have performed poorly on Hong Kong-related issues.
The United States last month imposed sanctions on six Chinese and Hong Kong officials, accusing them of engaging in “supremacist repression” and actions that further undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy. The Hong Kong officials included Justice Minister Paul Lam, Security Bureau Director Dong Jingwei, and former police commissioner Raymond Siu.
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Guo Jiakun stated that China strongly condemns these actions and considers them despicable. He said: The US has seriously interfered in Hong Kong affairs and violated the principles of international law.
He also warned about Hong Kong: The United States should not interfere in the affairs of this region in southern China. Any action taken on Hong Kong-related issues that China considers wrong will be met with decisive and retaliatory countermeasures.
The tough US sanctions over what it calls human rights issues in Hong Kong are the latest sign of rising tensions between Beijing and Washington, which are also locked in a trade war that has hurt businesses on both sides.
Beijing today separately warned other countries against making trade deals with the United States to the detriment of China.
The US sanctions against Hong Kong officials in March are the first to be imposed on the territory, which returned to Chinese rule after British colonial rule ended in 1997. During Donald Trump’s first term, his administration imposed sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials for “undermining” Hong Kong’s autonomy.