China vows to retaliate after US bans defence exports to Hong Kong over national security law
- Foreign ministry spokesman says national security law that prompted Washington’s move is purely an internal matter and other countries have no right to interfere
- Japan and South Korea join chorus of international concern, with Tokyo saying law will damage international confidence
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the restrictions on the eve of the top Chinese legislature’s formal endorsement of the new law, saying the US “can no longer distinguish between the export of controlled items to Hong Kong or to mainland China”.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s decision to eviscerate Hong Kong’s freedoms has forced the Trump administration to re-evaluate its policies toward the territory,” Pompeo said. The US “is forced to take this action to protect US national security”.
“Further actions to eliminate differential treatment are also being evaluated,” Ross said. “We urge Beijing to immediately reverse course and fulfil the promises it has made to the people of Hong Kong and the world.”
The announcements drew an immediate rebuke from Beijing, which vowed to retaliate if Washington moved to impose the restrictions. Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the national security legislation for Hong Kong was an internal matter for China and no foreign country had the right to intervene.