China summons U.S. diplomat over sanctions, promises response

[December 08, 2020]    BEIJING (Reuters) - China has summoned the acting top U.S. diplomat in Beijing to protest about U.S. sanctions on 14 Chinese officials over Hong Kong, and vowed to take "reciprocal" counter measures.

The flags of China, the United States and Chinese Communist Party are displayed in a flag stall at the Yiwu Wholesale Market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, China, May 10, 2019. REUTERS/Aly Song

China's foreign ministry said on its website on Tuesday that Chinese vice foreign ministry Zheng Zeguang has summoned the acting representative in the U.S. embassy to express "solemn protest and strong condemnation".

He also said that Beijing will take "reciprocal" counter measures.

The United States on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on all 14 vice-chairpersons of China's National People's Congress over their role in adopting a national security law for Hong Kong and Beijing's disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.

(Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

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