Beijing threatens Washington to sue its citizens

SANAA, Oct. 18 (YPA) – The Chinese government has warned Washington that it may detain Americans in China in response to a US Justice Department prosecution of Chinese military-affiliated researchers, according to a media report.

Chinese officials have repeatedly issued warnings to US government officials through multiple channels, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing informed sources.

A September 14 State Department memo warned against traveling to China, saying the Beijing government is enforcing arbitrary detention and a ban on departures with  the US citizens and others “to gain an advantage in negotiating with foreign governments.”

The White House referred questions to the State Department

At the highest levels, the Chinese government has reiterated our concern about China’s arbitrariness in enforcing the exit ban with US citizens and citizens of other countries, and we will continue to do so until we see a transparent and fair process,” the  US Department of the State said in a statement.

E.M