The action is the latest in escalating tensions between the two countries and a back-and-forth in sanctions. The United States on Friday sanctioned Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and 10 other Chinese and Hong Kong officials for their role in violations of political freedom in the region – the latest measure taken by the Trump administration in response to China’s imposition of a controversial national security law over Hong Kong.
“The U.S. action (Friday) was a blatant interference in Hong Kong’s affairs and China’s internal affairs,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday. “It was in serious violation of international law and basic standards for international relations.”
Sens Marco Rubio of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey was the U.S. lawmaker sanctioned by Beijing.
CNN rushed to the offices of Cruz, Cotton, Toomey and Smith for comment on Monday. CNN also reached out to the US state.
The new National Security Act, which Beijing imposed on the city on July 1, criminalizes disclosure, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign troops. President Donald Trump blew Beijing out of the law, and in May introduced Hong Kong’s special status on trade. Other U.S. senators and leaders, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have voiced criticism and anger after the law was passed.
Hong Kong said it “fully supports” China’s latest sanctions against Americans and will “facilitate its enforcement.”
“The US government has stepped up in recent days by imposing so-called ‘sanctions’ against officials of the Central People’s Government and the HKSAR government, ” a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said in a statement. a statement. “The act is shameless and despicable, and is revered by the people of Hong Kong and the whole nation …. The HKSAR Government fully supports the movement and will facilitate its enforcement in accordance with the law.”
Humans Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth, President of the National Endowment for Democracy Carl Gershman, President of the National Democratic Institute Derek Mitchell, President of the International Republican Institute Daniel Twining and President of Freedom House Michael Abramowitz were also sanctioned.
China last month imposed sanctions on Rubio, Cruz and Smith for what it called interference in affairs in Xinjiang, its far-flung western region where U.S. officials say up to 2 million Muslim residents were sent to mass prison camps.
This story has been updated with additional information.
.
