NNA - China has imposed sanctions on several US Congress members, government officials, and heads of non-governmental organizations in retaliation for what it described as "egregious behaviour" concerning Hong Kong.

The move, revealed on Monday by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, marks a fresh escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries.​

The sanctions were imposed in direct response to Washington’s decision last month to sanction six Chinese and Hong Kong officials.

Speaking at a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed Beijing’s strong condemnation of the US move and warned of firm retaliation.​

"Any wrong action taken by the US side on the Hong Kong-related issue will be met with resolute and reciprocal counteraction by the Chinese side," Guo stated.​

It is noteworthy that the United States has repeatedly claimed Beijing was clamping down on democratic freedoms and civil liberties in Hong Kong, a pretext to impose several rounds of sanctions targeting officials seen as responsible for undermining the city’s autonomy. --- Al Mayadeen

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