China News Service, July 23. According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered reporters' questions on China's decision to impose sanctions on relevant American personnel and entities.
The spokesperson pointed out that in response to the wrongdoing of the United States, China has decided to take reciprocal countermeasures and impose sanctions on seven U.S. personnel and entities in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Act.
A reporter asked: On July 16, the US State Department, Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security issued the so-called "Hong Kong Commercial Warning."
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury listed 7 deputy directors of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong on the "Specially Designated National List" and imposed financial sanctions.
China stated that it will take all necessary measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its own sovereignty, security, and development interests.
What measures will China take?
The spokesperson said that the US concocted the so-called "Hong Kong Business Warning" to unjustifiably discredit Hong Kong’s business environment and illegally sanction many officials of the Chinese Central Government’s agencies in Hong Kong. The relevant actions seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations and seriously interfered in China’s internal affairs. This is firmly opposed and strongly condemned.
The spokesperson pointed out that in response to the wrongdoing of the United States, China has decided to take reciprocal countermeasures. According to the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Act, it will deal with former US Secretary of Commerce Ross and the Chairman of the US-China Economic and Security Review Committee (USCC) Caroline. Bartholomew, former office director of the Congress-Executive China Committee (CECC) Jonathan Stewars, "American Association for Democracy in International Affairs" Kim Doyoon, and "American Institute of International Republic" authorized representative in Hong Kong Adam King , Sophie Richardson, director of the China Department of Human Rights Watch, and seven US personnel and entities including the Hong Kong Democracy Committee imposed sanctions.
The spokesman said that the Chinese side once again emphasized that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs.
Any attempt by external forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs is a mere stumbling block.