US Dept of State Imposes Visa Restrictions on Chinese Officials

The move comes a day after the US Senate approved a bill for economic sanctions against Chinese officials.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

(Photo: IANS)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, 27 June, said visa restrictions will be imposed on Chinese officials responsible for restricting freedoms in Hong Kong, reported Reuters.

Pompeo said the sanctions targeted “current and former” party officials but he did not name any of those targeted.

The Secretary of State said the officials who were targeted were “responsible for, or complicit in, undermining Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy,” which Beijing promised before regaining control of the territory in 1997,″ reported The Statesmen.

“The United States calls on China to honor its commitments and obligations in the Sino-British Joint Declaration – namely that Hong Kong will “enjoy a high degree of autonomy” and that human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, will be protected by law and respected by governing authorities in Hong Kong.”

Statement from the US Department of State 

Pompeo's action comes one day after the US Senate approved a bill that would lay out economic sanctions against Chinese officials and Hong Kong police as well as banks that do transactions with them, reported the The Associated Press.