China to impose visa restrictions on U.S. personnel over Hong Kong-related issues

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that China has decided to impose visa restrictions on United States personnel who have acted egregiously on Hong Kong-related issues.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the decision at a regular press conference. The U.S. had earlier said it is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials responsible for implementing the Hong Kong national security law.

"We've made clear our serious position on relevant moves of the U.S. side," Mao stressed.

She said the U.S. used Hong Kong-related issues to slap visa restrictions on Chinese officials, which grossly interfered with China's internal affairs and seriously violated the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations.

Mao said the decision is in accordance with the Law on Foreign Relations of the People's Republic of China and the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China.

The spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs.

She urged the U.S. to earnestly respect China's sovereignty, respect Hong Kong's rule of law and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs in whatever form.

China remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard the nation's sovereignty, security, and development interests, implement One Country, Two Systems, and oppose any external interference in Hong Kong's affairs, Mao said.