In response to U.S. sanctions against Beijing, China on Wednesday sanctioned Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and 27 other U.S. officials.
They include former national security adviser John Bolton and onetime chief adviser Steve Bannon, two other former Trump confidants.
The reason for the sanctions is that these U.S. officials have seriously violated China’s sovereignty, the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement released Wednesday said. The U.S. citizens affected by the sanctions are no longer allowed to travel to China, Hong Kong or Macau. In addition, they and any related companies are no longer allowed to do business in China.
China has previously warned the U.S. not to interfere in the internal affairs of Beijing, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
During Donald Trump’s tenure, the relationship between Washington and Beijing had deteriorated. In his first confrontation with China, new U.S. President Joe Biden called on Democrats and Republicans to condemn U.S. sanctions against U.S. citizens.
by Jeremy Abbott – American Correspondent – WPN