China Strikes Back: Visa Restrictions On US Officials Over Hong Kong Dispute

China has imposed new visa restrictions on US officials, citing their “poor behavior” regarding Hong Kong-related issues. This move follows Washington’s earlier threats to sanction individuals involved in enforcing Hong Kong’s national security law.

A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the US had interfered in China’s internal matters by using Hong Kong to impose visa restrictions on Chinese officials. Mao Ning, the spokesperson, criticized the US for violating international law and urged them to respect China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong’s affairs.

This development comes after the US passed legislation in 2020 to sanction Chinese officials involved in implementing the controversial national security law. The law has been heavily criticized for restricting freedoms in Hong Kong, and the US has vowed to take action, including sanctions, in response to its enforcement.

In a separate move last month, the US State Department pledged new sanctions, including visa restrictions, targeting officials involved in the imprisonment of 45 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists. The activists were sentenced for participating in an unofficial “primary” election in 2020, which Hong Kong authorities labeled an effort to overthrow the government.