US imposes visa restrictions on Chinese officials
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that Washington is imposing visa restrictions on Chinese Communist Party officials believed to be in charge of undermining freedoms in Hong Kong.
Mr Pompeo said the sanctions targeted "current and former" party officials.
He said the approach followed President Donald Trump's promise to punish Beijing above a proposed security law that could erode Hong Kong's autonomy.
China said the US decision was a good "mistake" that needs to be withdrawn.
It comes only days ahead of a gathering of China's parliament.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will go over the brand new law at its meeting, which starts on Sunday.
China has proposed security legislation that could make it a crime to undermine Beijing's authority found in Hong Kong, and could also see China installing its security agencies found in the territory for the very first time.
The maneuver has sparked a fresh wave of anti-mainland protests in Hong Kong.
Mr Pompeo's statement on Friday, which didn't name the Chinese officials influenced by the united states visa restrictions, followed a recently available vote by the united states Senate to impose sanctions on people who undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and the banks that work with them.
Responding to the move, the Chinese embassy in Washington stated it "firmly opposes the united states side's wrongful decisions".
In a statement submitted on Twitter, the embassy added: "We urge the US side to immediately correct its mistakes, withdraw your choice and prevent interfering in China's domestic affairs."
Last month, Mr Trump also reported that he would begin to end preferential treatment for Hong Kong in trade and travel, on response to China's plans.
THE UNITED STATES president said Beijing was replacing "its promised formula of 1 Country, Two Systems with One Country, One System".
"This is a good tragedy for Hong Kong... China provides smothered Hong Kong's freedom," he added.
China's parliament has recently supported the resolution for the brand new legislation, which right now passes to the country's senior leadership.
Hong Kong was constantly meant to possess a security law, but could never pass 1 since it was so unpopular.
China is currently stepping in to ensure metropolis definitely includes a legal framework to manage what it sees as serious challenges to its authority.
The law would produce criminal any act of:
- secession - breaking away from China
- subversion - undermining the power or perhaps authority of the central government
- terrorism - using violence or perhaps intimidation against people
- activities by foreign forces that interfere found in Hong Kong
- Experts say they fear the law could see persons punished for criticizing Beijing - as happens found in mainland China.
