China promised a "counterattack" in the United States on Monday after announcements by US President Donald Trump, which wants to limit the entry of Chinese nationals into its territory and impose trade sanctions on Hong Kong. This is Beijing's first reaction since the measures announced on Friday by the tenant of the White House. It occurs against a backdrop of strong bilateral tensions around Covid-19, the situation of Uighur Muslims in northwest China and bilateral trade.
American sanctions
In a firm statement, Donald Trump announced that the United States is suspending the entry of Chinese nationals who pose a potential "risk" to the security of the country.
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The Republican billionaire also asked his administration to end the preferential trade measures granted to Hong Kong, to denounce a controversial national security law imposed by Beijing in its autonomous territory. Donald Trump also asked his collaborators to investigate Chinese companies listed in the United States.
"Fix these errors"
"Any comments or actions that harm China's interests will be met with a firm counterattack," said Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry. "China urges the United States to immediately correct these mistakes and abandon its Cold War mentality," he said at a regular press conference.
The climate has been explosive between Beijing and Washington for several months, the Trump administration regularly accusing the Chinese government of the spread on the planet of the new coronavirus.