Sanctions on Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Others
Including Korean-American Suspected Kim Doyoon
Conflict Escalates Ahead of Sherman Deputy Secretary of State's Visit to China
China Calls It "Interference in Internal Affairs," White House Says "We Will Not Yield"
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Chinese government has activated its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law for the first time, imposing counter-sanctions against the United States.
On the 23rd (local time), the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions against six individuals, including former U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC), as well as one institution.
Former Commerce Secretary Ross was a key figure leading efforts to counter China during the U.S.-China trade conflict under the Donald Trump administration.
The sanctions list also includes Kim Do-yoon, presumed to be of Korean descent, affiliated with the Washington D.C.-based National Democratic Institute (NDI), drawing attention. According to Washington sources, Kim is known to have led pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong as a member of this organization.
The Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law was established by China in June as a response to Western sanctions pressure, and this is the first time the law has been applied.
This move is interpreted as a response to the recent series of sanctions related to the Xinjiang region and Hong Kong, as well as warnings issued to domestic companies by the United States.
In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized, "The U.S. side fabricated what they call the Hong Kong Business Advisory, baselessly tarnishing Hong Kong's business environment and illegally sanctioning Chinese officials in Hong Kong."
It added, "These measures violate fundamental principles of international relations and international law and seriously interfere in China's internal affairs."
Regarding this, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki stated at a briefing on the same day, "We will not be intimidated by such (Chinese sanctions) measures and will enforce all sanctions imposed on China."
China abruptly played the sanctions card two days before the scheduled visit of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on the 25th-26th. This move signals China's intention not to be outmaneuvered in negotiations with the U.S. while escalating tensions between the two countries.
However, targeting Ross, a figure from the Donald Trump administration, is seen as a signal that there remains room for negotiation.
China previously imposed sanctions on 28 individuals from the Trump administration, including former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on January 21, coinciding with President Joe Biden's inauguration.
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