China summons US envoy over sanctions, vows countermeasures

China will take reciprocal countermeasures against the US move and will take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, security and development interests, Zheng said.

The US sanctions seriously violated the basic norms governing international relations, interfered in China's internal affairs, and undermined China-US relations, he said.

China expressed strong indignation and condemnation of the unreasonable and wicked move, he said.

He urged the US to immediately correct its mistakes and withdraw the decision, stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China's domestic affairs, or it will fully bear serious consequences.

Also on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying urged the United States to withdraw the "erroneous decision" of imposing sanctions on relevant officials of the National People's Congress (NPC) over Hong Kong issues, vowing "firm and strong countermeasures" against the egregious act by the US side to defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.

"The above-mentioned move by the US side severely violates basic norms governing international relations, interferes in China's internal affairs and harms China-US relations," Hua said.

"The Chinese government and people express strong indignation at and strongly condemn the outrageous, unscrupulous, crazy and vile act of the US side," she added.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council expressed similar sentiments on Tuesday, calling the US sanctions "hysterical political bullying."

The move totally violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations, said a statement by the HKMAO.

No country would turn a blind eye to actions and activities that jeopardize its national security, and no country would consent to someone who seeks to split the country, subvert state power or collude with external forces holding public office, according to the statement.

The United States itself has long established a well-enforced legal system of safeguarding national security, as well as strict laws and regulations regarding the qualification and oath-taking for its senators and representatives, it said.

Yet, the US side has blatantly slandered, interfered with and suppressed the NPC Standing Committee's justified actions to improve the legal system supporting the principle of "one country, two systems," and safeguard national security and the constitutional order in the HKSAR, which are in line with China's own laws and international practice, said the statement, adding that the actions of the US side are nothing more than double standards and hegemonic logic.

The US side has repeatedly wielded the stick of sanctions, fully revealing the political agenda of some US politicians to disrupt Hong Kong, undermine the practice of "one country, two systems" and contain China's development, it said.

The repulsive tricks of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his ilk will fade into nothing and simply will not work, the statement noted.

Every so-called sanction imposed by the US side will only strengthen the will of the Chinese people to safeguard their national security, it said, adding that such acts will not shake the Chinese government's determination and confidence to firmly implement the principle of "one country, two systems," nor will they stop the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

With Xinhua inputs