China imposes visa restrictions on US personnel over Hong Kong ‘interference’ – Times of India

China announced on Tuesday that it would impose visa restrictions on certain US personnel accused of “behaving badly” and “interfering” in Hong Kong-related affairs.
The decision comes as a countermeasure to Washington’s ongoing sanctions against Chinese officials linked to the controversial national security law in Hong Kong.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning revealed the move during a press conference, stating that Beijing had already conveyed its stance to Washington.
“The United States, by using Hong Kong-related issues to impose indiscriminate visa restrictions on Chinese officials, has grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs and seriously violated the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations,” Mao said.
She added, “China has decided to impose visa restrictions on US personnel who have behaved poorly on Hong Kong-related issues.”
Mao reiterated that Hong Kong’s affairs were China’s internal matters, urging the US to respect the nation’s sovereignty and the city’s legal framework. She called for an end to US interference, asserting Beijing’s commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
This move comes in response to the US State Department’s recent pledge to impose fresh sanctions on officials involved in enforcing the national security law. The announcement followed the jailing of 45 opposition figures for up to 10 years for subversion related to their roles in a 2020 unofficial “primary” election, which a court deemed a plot to overthrow Hong Kong’s government.
Last month, Hong Kong authorities criticised the US sanctions as “a despicable political manoeuvre” aimed at intimidating personnel responsible for maintaining national security.
The current tensions echo similar measures taken in 2020 when the Trump administration sanctioned 11 Chinese and Hong Kong officials, including former Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and current leader John Lee Ka-chiu, for their roles in implementing the national security law.
The sanctions, imposed by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, blocked the US-based assets of the targeted individuals and prohibited Americans and businesses from engaging with them. The US claimed these actions and policies undermined “the peace, security, stability or autonomy of Hong Kong.”