A guard in front of the American Embassy in Beijing in May 2019. -

Greg Baker / AFP

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.

After Washington's decision to impose restrictions on the Chinese diplomatic corps, China decided to fight back.

The country announced Friday the imposition of binding measures on American diplomats present in the country, including in Hong Kong, "in the name of reciprocity".

Beijing did not specify the nature of these constraints.

But Washington recently imposed measures on Chinese diplomats such as requiring permission to go to universities or meet with local officials.

Is international law flouted?

Cultural events bringing together more than 50 people, organized by Chinese diplomatic missions outside their official buildings in the United States, must now also receive a green light from the American authorities.

The Trump administration has indicated that it has taken these measures because its diplomats in China are victims of restrictions on access to people useful to understand local issues.

"These American actions have seriously violated international law and fundamental standards of international relations," Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denounced in a statement Friday evening.

“China recently issued a diplomatic note imposing, in the name of reciprocity, restrictions on the activities of US embassies and consulates in China, including the US consulate in Hong Kong and its staff.

"

Relationships that deteriorate

This decision comes against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in relations between China and the United States, rivals in the economic and technological spheres and opposed on a multitude of subjects (Hong Kong, human rights, technologies, the coronavirus crisis in particular) .

"We once again urge the United States to immediately correct its mistake and remove unreasonable restrictions on the activities of the Chinese Embassy and its staff based in the United States," Zhao Lijian continued.

“China will respond reciprocally to the (next) actions of the United States.

"

This confrontation between the two leading world powers in July took on the appearance of a new Cold War with the forced closure in Houston of the Chinese consulate, amid accusations of espionage.

China retaliated by ordering the United States consulate in Chengdu (southwest) a few days apart to close in turn.

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