China has imposed sanctions on some US officials following their involvement in Hong Kong’s internal affairs with Taiwan. The announcement was made during a daily news conference in Beijing by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning.
CHINA USA
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday reiterated China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan and announced retaliatory visa restrictions on US personnel.
While addressing a daily press briefing in Beijing, she affirmed that the visa restrictions policy affects those who ‘behaved badly on the Hong Kong issue.’
« The US has abused visa restrictions on Chinese officials by taking advantage of the Hong Kong issue, grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs, and seriously violating the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, » Mao emphasised.
« The Taiwan issue is China’s internal affairs. China will firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, » Mao stated at the briefing.
Mao had previously stated on Monday that Taiwan was an ‘inalienable part of China’ and refused to acknowledge Taiwan’s Defence Ministry after it had commented.
Simultaneously, asked about Washington’s announcement of visa restrictions on ‘anti-democracy’ officials in Hong Kong, Mao Ning remarked that China would take retaliatory measures.
It is worth mentioning that the tit-for-tat moves follow the prosecution of 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong in November, with sentences handed down ranging from four to 10 years.
