Punishment for US figures ‘deserved’: HKMAO

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said on Saturday seven American citizens and entities that are being sanctioned by Beijing are getting the punishment they deserve.

In the first sanctions imposed under China’s new anti-foreign sanction law, unspecified counter-sanctions have been laid on the current or former heads of a range of organisations, including former US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

In a statement, the HKMAO offered staunch support for the counter-sanctions.

A spokesperson said the people or groups concerned have been fabricating facts and creating rumours about Hong Kong, and have pushed for bills and measures that intervened in the SAR’s affairs and harmed China’s interests.

“They must get the punishment they deserve, and we must make them remember: any bullying acts which wave around the weapon of sanctions will be faced with strong counterstrikes,” the spokesperson said.

China’s sanctions came just days ahead of a visit by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.

Last week, Washington sanctioned seven officials from the Liaison Office, because of their role in the security crackdown in Hong Kong.

It also issued an advisory that highlighted concerns about the potential impact on international companies operating in the SAR.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday that the US is “undeterred” by the latest Chinese action.

“These actions are the latest examples of how Beijing punishes private citizens, companies, and civil society organisations as a way to send political signals and further illustrate the People’s Republic of China’s deteriorating investment climate and rising political risk.”