China Weighs Sanctions on Pompeo and Other Trump Administration Officials

CCTV, People's Daily and Other Chinese State Media Jointly Condemn US
Top 14 NPC Officials Sanctioned, Retaliation Promised

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Chinese government is expected to include Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, as a target of retaliation in connection with sanctions against 14 vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of the United States.

On the 10th, the Chinese state-run Global Times reported that after the U.S. imposed sanctions on 14 vice chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee over the disqualification of Hong Kong opposition lawmakers, the NPC Standing Committee declared retaliation through a spokesperson's statement, identifying key figures from the Donald Trump administration as targets of the sanctions.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In particular, Pompeo, a close aide to President Trump who has led sanctions and criticism against China, is expected to be the top priority target of the sanctions.

The Global Times interpreted the message sent by the NPC to the U.S. as the highest-level warning to the United States since the 1999 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.

The Global Times, citing experts, forecasted that the Chinese government would include Pompeo and other officials from the Trump administration, as well as some U.S. Congress members, in the list of sanctioned individuals.

Professor Li Haidong of the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University said, "The unusual high-level warning from the NPC shows China's firm stance," adding, "The U.S. government's sanctions against Chinese officials carry a warning that there will be consequences." Professor Li further noted, "Although the Trump administration has only a few weeks left in office, it is highly likely that sanctions will be imposed on senior officials and some lawmakers," and pointed out, "This is a warning not to damage China-U.S. relations like the Trump administration, regardless of who becomes the next White House occupant."

Regarding these sanctions, the People's Daily also criticized the United States. In an editorial titled "The Chinese People Neither Believe in Evil Nor Fear Evil," the paper harshly criticized the Donald Trump administration, which is set to leave office next month.

The People's Daily stated, "The U.S. sanctions against the NPC are hysterical political tyranny that provokes strong anger and condemnation from the Chinese government and people," and asserted, "Hong Kong is China's internal affair, and the U.S. has no right to interfere recklessly." The outlet added, "The more the U.S. creates a fuss over 'sanctions' with double standards, the more its hypocritical nature and ugly appearance are revealed," and criticized, "The U.S. is the biggest behind-the-scenes force in the Hong Kong crisis."

CCTV also reported on the sanctions against the 14 vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee, describing the U.S. actions as "extremely despicable and typical political harassment." It emphasized that China will impose corresponding sanctions on U.S. officials who interfered in Hong Kong affairs and undermined China's sovereignty and security.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.