BEIJING (CHINA) – In the wake of US penalising senior Chinese officials over the treatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, Beijing announced “corresponding sanctions” against Washington on Monday.
China’s bid to impose sanctions comes as ties between the two countries have slumped over the coronavirus pandemic, trade, Huawei and a national security law imposed on Hong Kong.
Chinese sanctions target Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, US Representative Chris Smith, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback and the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China.
Rubio and Cruz were instrumental in sponsoring the legislation that penalises China’s actions in Xinjiang. Smith has been vocal in his criticism of Beijing on issues such as mistreatment of Uighurs, Hong Kong legislation and the handling of the pandemic.
The targeted officials are members of President Donald Trump’s Republican Party.
“The US actions seriously interfere in China’s internal affairs, seriously violate the basic norms of international relations and seriously damage Sino-US relations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
“China will make further responses based on how the situation develops.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field