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China to impose sanctions on US citizens, organizations after Trump’s executive order

Beijing says that Washington’s unilateral actions contradict basic principles of the international law

BEIJING, July 15. /TASS/. Beijing will impose sanctions on US individuals and organizations after US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order on sanctions over Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"We are forced to impose sanctions to protect our own national interests. Those measures will affect both individuals and organizations," the ministry said in a statement, posted on its website.

The statement says that Washington’s unilateral actions contradict basic principles of the international law.

"This constitutes a flagrant interference into the affairs of Hong Kong and into China’s domestic issues. We express strong discontent and resolute protest over the matter," the foreign ministry said.

In line with the statement, Beijing will firmly defend its sovereignty, national security and stability.

‘China insists that the United States fix the mistakes it had made and stop short of implementing the Hong Kong bill. <...> If this does not happen, harsh retaliatory measures will follow," the document says.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he signed a bill on sanctions against China due to the situation in Hong Kong, and an executive order on cancelling US trade and economic preferences for this special administrative region of China. Among other measures, the sanctions envisage asset freeze of certain Chinese individuals on the US territory.

On June 30, the Chinese lawmakers adopted a law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong. This legislative act seeks to prevent such actions as separatism, terrorism, undermining of the central power and conspiracy with foreign anti-Chinese powers. Special agencies are formed in Hong Kong that are not subordinate to the Hong Kong administration. Such development sparked criticism from certain Western nations, who believe that it violates the Hong Kong autonomy.

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