China announces its intention to impose sanctions on American individuals and entities

China announced its intention to impose sanctions on American individuals and entities in response to the US move to pass the so-called (Hong Kong Autonomy Law).

“China firmly opposes and condemns the move by the United States to sign the so-called (Hong Kong Autonomy Law).  It will take the necessary responses to protect its legitimate interests and impose sanctions on relevant American individuals and entities,” the Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.

“Beijing strongly condemns this American law and considers it as a blatant interference in Hong Kong affairs and in China’s internal affairs,” the agency added.

The Chinese statement came hours after US President Donald Trump announced the order to end preferential treatment enjoyed by Hong Kong in trade with the United States and signed a law passed by Congress authorizing the imposition of banking sanctions on Chinese officials and entities.

Inas Abdulkareem