BEIJING — China has announced unspecified sanctions against 11 U.S. politicians and heads of organizations promoting democratic causes, including Missouri Senator Josh Hawley.
Hawley responded to the sanctions saying,"I'm not backing down," in a Monday morning tweet.
#China announces it is sanctioning me in retaliation for speaking out against #ChineseCommunistParty and defending America’s interests. Retaliate all you want. I’m not backing down https://t.co/Mlx6xtw4cT
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) August 10, 2020
Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, were also singled out by Beijing.
A foreign ministry spokesperson says the 11 “performed badly” on issues concerning Hong Kong, where China has cracked down on opposition voices following its imposition of a national security law in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city last month.
The number of Americans named by the ministry exactly equals the number of Hong Kong and Chinese officials placed on a sanctions list by the U.S. last week over the crackdown.
China showed its determination to defy such pressure on Monday by arresting media tycoon Jimmy Lai and raiding the publisher’s headquarters.
