This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
China Hits Back with Sanctions on US Lawmakers and Envoy ¶
Published on July 13, 2020
China has imposed sanctions on several US lawmakers and the US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Sam Brownback, in response to the US imposing visa bans and asset freezes on several Chinese officials, including the Communist Party chief in Xinjiang, Chen Quanguo.
The sanctions target some of the most outspoken critics of China, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, as well as Congressman Chris Smith.
China's foreign ministry spokesman, Hua Chunying, described the move as a response to the US's 'wrong actions', saying, 'We urge the US to immediately withdraw its wrong decision, and stop words and actions that interfere in China's internal affairs and harm China's interests.'
China has also announced sanctions on the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China, an agency that monitors human rights in the country.
According to Hua Chunying, China will make a further response depending on the development of the situation.
