China sanctions on congressmen & prominent US figures

China said on the 21st that it has decided to sanction U.S. congressional members, officials, and heads of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Spokesperson Gua Jiankun noted during a regular briefing that "it has been decided to sanction U.S. congressional members, officials, and heads of non-governmental organizations who have shown malicious attitudes regarding the Hong Kong issue in accordance with the Foreign Sanctions Law." However, he did not specify which individuals are subject to sanctions.

Spokesperson Gua stated, "The United States has imposed illegal and unilateral sanctions on six individuals, including the Hong Kong-based organ of the Chinese central government and Hong Kong government officials, seriously interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs and severely violating the principles of international law and the basic principles of international relations," adding that, "China strongly condemns such despicable acts."

He further stated, "Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs is unacceptable," adding that, "Any wrongful actions taken by the United States regarding the Hong Kong issue will face China's strong countermeasures and corresponding actions."

China's such actions are a retaliation against the U.S. sanctions on senior Hong Kong officials. The U.S. Department of State announced on the 31st of last month that it has placed six individuals, including Paul Lam, Hong Kong's Secretary for Justice, Raymond Shiu, the Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Force, and Dong Jingwei, Director of the Hong Kong National Security Office, who are responsible for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy and involvement in arrests and detentions under the Hong Kong national security law, on the sanctions list.