China imposes sanctions on US officials, including members of Congress

SANAA, April 21 (YPA) – China imposed sanctions, on Monday, on several US members of Congress, government officials, and heads of non-governmental organizations for their “blatant behavior on Hong Kong-related issues.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Guo Jia Kun, asserted that the United States had unprecedentedly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and violated the principles of international law.

Kun said, “Beijing has decided to impose sanctions on US members of Congress and leaders of non-governmental organizations who acted inappropriately on issues related to the autonomous city.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman warned against US interference in Hong Kong affairs, saying that the southern Chinese city’s affairs are not subject to interference by the United States.

“Any actions the Chinese government deems wrong on Hong Kong-related issues will be met with firm countermeasures and reciprocal action,” he added.

The sanctions are in response to the United States imposing sanctions on six Chinese and Hong Kong officials last month.

The US State Department said the six sanctioned officials were linked to entities or actions that involved coercing, arresting, detaining, or imprisoning individuals under the city’s national security law or implementing its provisions.