China says firmly opposes US sanctioning Chinese officials

Will take the necessary to safeguard its sovereignty and security says Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson

BEIJING:

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo imposing sanctions on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) United Front Work Department, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

China will take the necessary and legitimate measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development rights, Hua Chunying, spokesperson with the ministry told a briefing.

Pompeo said on Friday that he had imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials and others who have used or threatened to use violence, the release of private information or other coercive tactics to intimidate critics.