US ‘Undeterred’ Over China Sanctions | Voice of America

WHITE HOUSE – The White House said Friday that it was “unwavering” by China’s recent sanctions against several US citizens, the days after Washington sanctioned seven Chinese officials for Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong.

“We will not be deterred by these measures and will continue to fully commit ourselves to the implementation of all relevant US sanctions authorities,” said spokesman Jen Psaki in response to the question from VOA during a press conference in the White House.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington July 19, 2021.

“These actions are the latest example of Beijing penalizing individuals, businesses and civil society organizations to send political signals and further illustrate the deteriorating investment climate and increasing political risk in the PRC,” added Psaki.

Following Washington sanctions against seven deputy directors and the director of the Beijing Liaison Office in Hong Kong, China on Friday sanctioned former US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and several other Americans who were involved in US trade policy and human rights issues.

“The US’s relevant actions have seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations, and seriously interfered in China’s internal affairs. China rejects this resolutely and condemns it in the strongest possible terms, ”said a statement from Beijing.

In the White House, Psaki said Friday there was bipartisan support for “outrageous moves” against those defending universal human rights and fundamental freedoms and said the sanctions “only show Beijing’s further isolation around the world”.

Americans respond

In addition to Ross, China said it would chair the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Carolyn Bartholomew, former director of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Jonathan Stivers, DoYun Kim from the National Democratic Institute, and deputy director of the International Republican Institute Target Adam King, Human Rights Look at China Director Sophie Richardson and the Hong Kong Democracy Council.

Several of the people named on Friday dismissed Beijing’s lawsuits.

Human Rights Watch China director Ophie Richardson speaks during a press conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York on January 14, 2020.

“I have to say it’s noise. It’s a distraction,” Richardson, a frequent critic of Beijing’s human rights policy, told VOA in a telephone interview.

“We are very busy and these sanctions will in no way prevent us from continuing our work. And I just want the Chinese government to focus its energies on ending crimes against humanity against Uyghurs, along with other serious human rights crimes. “

Samuel Chu, executive director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democratic Council, issued a statement saying Beijing’s sanctions would only improve the group’s work.

“To be targeted and sanctioned by an authoritarian regime like the CCP is a badge of honor. It is the best confirmation of what and for whom we are fighting, ”he wrote.

The sanctions are China’s first under an anti-foreign sanctions law passed in June and come just before US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman’s trip to China. Psaki said Friday there were no changes to Sherman’s planned trip.

Others said these targeted sanctions against individuals would have limited impact on the broader US-China relationship.

“The sanction in sanctions is a continuation of a long pattern and primarily a ‘feel good’ foreign policy,” said Nicholas R. Lardy, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and an expert on the Chinese economy.

“None of the Chinese named by the Biden government likely ever had any plans to come to the United States,” Lardy told VOA.

“I also doubt that trips to China are at the top of Wilbur Ross’s wish-list.”

Some of the information in this report is from Reuters.