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China-US relations: Beijing threatens to deal ‘head-on’ blow after latest sanctions over Hong Kong
- Washington accused of making ‘unprovoked smears’ after it warns businesses of heightened risks of operating in the city
- Hong Kong liaison office says latest sanctions will do nothing ‘other than fuel our contempt and arouse our strong will to fight’
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China vowed to deal a “head-on blow” to the United States after it imposed more sanctions on mainland Chinese officials over Hong Kong and warned American companies of the hazards of doing business in the city.
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Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong slammed Washington on Saturday for its “unprovoked smearing” after it issued an advisory that warned of “clear operational, financial, legal and reputational risks” in the city, including from the national security law and potential retaliation against companies for compliance with US sanctions. It also dismissed the sanctions on seven officials from the office as “blatant provocations”.
“The successive sanctions imposed on us by the US have no meaning, other than to fuel our contempt towards US politicians and to arouse our strong will to fight for our national interests,” it said.
“Anyone who intervenes in Hong Kong’s affairs had best believe that China’s development will firmly continue, and we will deal a head-on blow to America’s unscrupulous behaviour.”
The fiery language was echoed in a separate statement from the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong on Saturday. It dismissed the US business advisory as “nonsense”, and defended the national security law as a measure that could “push Hong Kong from chaos to governance”.
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