In yet another escalation of the deepening geopolitical rift between the United States and China, Beijing announced retaliatory sanctions on a group of American officials and civil society leaders, accusing Washington of interfering in its internal affairs-specifically the governance of Hong Kong. The move comes in direct response to recent US sanctions levied against six Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses and the erosion of freedoms in the autonomous city.

The announcement was made on April 21 by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun during a routine press briefing, where he accused certain American individuals of “acting egregiously” on matters related to Hong Kong. While the identities of those targeted by the new sanctions have not yet been publicly disclosed, Guo stated that they include current and former members of Congress, government employees, and leaders of non-governmental organizations.

“This action is meant to send a clear and firm signal: China does not tolerate foreign meddling in its internal affairs,” Guo said. He added that Washington’s actions amounted to a “serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations.”

Beijing’s retaliation is widely seen as a symbolic and political maneuver designed to reinforce its sovereignty over Hong Kong and to warn the United States against further punitive measures. It also underscores China’s broader strategy of reciprocal diplomacy in response to US sanctions, which has become increasingly common over the past decade.

This latest move follows the US State........

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