China vows to ban US officials who ‘act abominably’ over Tibet
- Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian says Americans will face visa restrictions in retaliation for US sanctions
- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attacked travel curbs on American visitors to region and accused Beijing of human rights abuses
China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday it would respond to a US travel ban on officials accused of limiting access to Tibet with similar curbs.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that the United States would restrict visas for officials who were found to be obstructing travel to the region by US diplomats, journalists and tourists.
Pompeo also accused Beijing of human rights abuses and said the US remained committed to “meaningful autonomy” for Tibetans and the preservation of their unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity.
“Access to Tibetan areas is increasingly vital to regional stability, given [China’s] human rights abuses there, as well as Beijing’s failure to prevent environmental degradation near the headwaters of Asia’s major rivers,” Pompeo said.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that China “resolutely opposes” the US decision and in return will restrict visas for US officials who have “acted abominably” on related issues. He did not specify who would be affected or what form the restrictions would take.
“We urge the US side to stop using Tibet-related affairs to interfere with China’s domestic affairs … and prevent further damage to Sino-US relations and cooperation,” Zhao told a regular press conference.