China News Service, Beijing, July 13 (Huang Yuqin) Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on the 13th that China has decided to take immediate action against the US Congress-Executive Commission on China and the US State Department’s Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Brown Barker, Federal Senators Rubio, Cruz, and Federal Representative Smith imposed sanctions accordingly.

  On July 9, the US State Department and the Treasury Department respectively announced sanctions against a Chinese government agency in Xinjiang and four officials in accordance with US internal law. Earlier, China stated that it would take equivalent measures against the relevant US institutions and individuals who have performed badly on Xinjiang-related issues.

  At the regular press conference held on the same day, Hua Chunying pointed out that the above actions of the US seriously interfered in China's internal affairs, seriously violated the basic norms of international relations, and severely damaged Sino-US relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this.

  She announced that in response to the wrong actions of the United States, China decided to implement corresponding measures to the United States Congress-Executive Commission on China and the US State Department’s Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Brownback, Federal Senator Rubio, Cruz, and Federal Representative Smith Sanctions.

  Hua Chunying pointed out that Xinjiang's affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and the United States has no right and no right to interfere. The Chinese government is unswerving in its determination to defend the interests of national sovereignty, security and development. It is unswervingly determined to combat violent and terrorist forces, separatist forces, and religious extremist forces. It is unswervingly determined to oppose any external forces to interfere in Xinjiang’s affairs and China’s internal affairs.

  She emphasized that we urge the US to immediately revoke the wrong decision and stop any words and deeds that interfere in China's internal affairs and harm China's interests. China will make further response according to the development of the situation. (Finish)