China Imposes Sanctions On US Lawmakers, Government Officials, NGOs Amid Conflict Escalation
In March, the U.S. sanctioned six Chinese and Hong Kong officials whom it alleged were involved in “transnational repression” and acts threatening to further erode the city’s autonomy.
Amid the escalating crisis between China and the United States, China has announced sanctions against U.S. Congress members and NGOs that it claims performed poorly on issues related to Hong Kong.
In March, the U.S. sanctioned six Chinese and Hong Kong officials whom it alleged were involved in “transnational repression” and acts threatening to further erode the city’s autonomy.
The officials included Justice Secretary Paul Lam, Security Office Director Dong Jingwei, and former Police Commissioner Raymond.
In response to the sanctions, Chinese authorities announced their retaliatory measures.
“In response to the U.S.’s illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese officials in Hong Kong, China decided to impose sanctions on the U.S. Congress members, government officials and heads of NGOs who acted egregiously on #HongKong-related issues,” a post by China’s foreign affairs ministry read.
The trade war between China and the U.S. has taken an alarming dimension.
This development came as President Donald Trump authorised an investigation into “national security risks posed by the U.S.’ reliance on imported, processed critical minerals and derived products,” which includes cobalt, lithium, nickel, and rare-earth metals used in the manufacture of smartphones, batteries for electric vehicles, and military equipment.
Trump, meanwhile, has said China needs to make the first move in any negotiation.
“The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them,” the President said, a day after accusing Beijing of reneging on a major Boeing deal.
SaharaReporters noted that, in response to the United States’ decision to impose a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods, China has ordered its airlines not to take any further deliveries of Boeing jets.
This is according to Bloomberg News on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Beijing has also instructed Chinese carriers to halt purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from U.S. companies, the Bloomberg report said.
The Chinese government is reportedly considering ways to assist airlines leasing Boeing jets who are facing increased costs, sources told Bloomberg News.
Earlier, in a statement published on its customs department website and seen by SaharaReporters, Chinese officials accused the United States of violating international trade norms. This was before the tariff was later raised to 245 percent.
China has vowed to “fight till its end” in what it called efforts to tackle the United States’ monopoly on trade.
In response to the U.S.’s illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese officials in Hong Kong, China decided to impose sanction on the U.S. congress members, government officials and heads of NGOs who acted egregiously on #HongKong-related issues. pic.twitter.com/6tYJlPrUwk
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) April 21, 2025
