China has revealed that it will impose tit-for-tat measures against US after the United States slapped sanctions on Chinese officials for their involvement in a crackdown on Muslim minorities, raising tensions between the superpowers.
The two countries have traded spike and sanctions on a slew of issues since President Donald Trump took office, from trade to more recent drizzle over the coronavirus pandemic, a security law in Hong Kong, and Chinese policies in the far west regions of Tibet and Xinjiang.
The latest China response followed a US announcement of visa bans and an assets freeze on three officials, including Chen Quanquo, the Communist Party chief in Xinjiang and architect of Beijing’s hardline policies against restive minorities.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a news briefing; “The US actions seriously interfere in China’s internal affairs, seriously violate the basic norms of international relations, and seriously damage China-US relations”.
Zhao also stated without providing specific details about the sanctions; “China has decided to impose reciprocal measures against the relevant US institutions and individuals who behave badly on Xinjiang-related issues”.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said on Thursday the United States was acting against “horrific and systematic abuses” in Xinjiang including forced labour, mass detention and involuntary population control.
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