China strikes back at US diplomats after fresh national security law sanctions

Name: China strikes back at US diplomats after fresh national security law sanctions
Uploaded: 2020-12-10T08:35:33.000Z
Duration: 52 s
Description: China strikes back at US diplomats after fresh national security law sanctions

Beijing revokes visa-free visits to Hong Kong and Macau for holders of American diplomatic passports

Move is in response to US action against 14 vice-chairmen of the National People’s Congress

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China has revoked visa-free visits to Hong Kong and Macau for holders of American diplomatic passports. Photo: Reuters

Teddy Ng,Lilian ChengandKristin Huang

Published: 4:35pm, 10 Dec 2020Updated: 7:09am, 11 Dec 2020

Beijing has hit back at Washington by announcing it will revoke visa exemptions for US diplomatic passport holders visiting Hong Kong and Macau, and impose tit-for-tat sanctions on some American politicians.

The Chinese foreign ministry retaliated on Thursday, three days after the US announced sanctions against 14 vice-chairmen of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature.

Washington started the latest round of sanctions to amplify its opposition to Beijing’s national security law in Hong Kong, targeting those it deemed responsible for implementing the controversial legislation.

The sanctions were not expected to have a significant impact, and observers described them as “mild”. But they cautioned that such action would further strain China-US ties, and make a reset more difficult even after Joe Biden’s inauguration as US president on January 20.

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China strikes back at US diplomats after fresh national security law sanctions

“China has decided to take action against US executive officials, congressmen, non-governmental organisation personnel and their immediate family members who have performed badly on Hong Kong-related issues,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

“At the same time, China has decided to cancel the visa-free treatment for temporary visits to Hong Kong and Macau by US diplomatic passport holders.”