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US diplomat summoned by Beijing for formal protest against sanctions on top Chinese lawmakers
- China condemns US action against state leaders as ‘hysterical bullying’
- The Chinese foreign ministry and office for Hong Kong denounce the move and warn there will be consequences
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China summoned a US diplomat in Beijing to protest against the latest US sanctions on top officials at the Chinese legislature on Tuesday – after describing Washington’s move as “hysterical political bullying” and warning of consequences.
The sanctions – over the controversial national security law imposed on Hong Kong – were announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday. They target the 14 vice-chairpersons of the National People’s Congress.
The most senior official affected is Wang Chen, who is also a Communist Party Politburo member. This is the second time the US has sanctioned a Politburo member. Chen Quanguo, also the Xinjiang party chief, was listed in July.
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Chinese foreign vice-minister Zheng Zeguang summoned Robert Forden, who has led the United States mission to China since October, to protest the move, which he said was a serious interference in China’s internal affairs.
“Hong Kong affairs are the internal affairs of China, and the US has no justification to intervene,” Zheng said, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.
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“China will make reciprocal countermeasures and continue to take all necessary measures to firmly defend the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests.”
Zheng accused the US of being the “largest black hand” behind the chaos in Hong Kong, and of creating trouble for China through the excuse of human rights and democracy.
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