Chinese sanctions on Trump’s administration are ‘cynical’: US

Biden administration called denounced Beijing’s “cynical” move on Thursday after nearly 30 officials, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo, from the former Trump administration were sanctioned by China.

According to a statement from China, “some anti-China politicians in the United States, out of their selfish political interests and prejudice and hatred against China… have planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves.”

The Chinese foreign ministry, as a result, sanctioned 28 people who have “seriously violated China’s sovereignty”. 

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The sanctions mean that the 28 former officials will not be permitted to enter Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China. 

“Imposing these sanctions on Inauguration Day is seemingly an attempt to play to partisan divides,” Emily Horne, the spokeswoman for the National Security Council, told AFP.

The spokesperson of the National Security Council, Emily Thorne said, “Imposing these sanctions on Inauguration Day is seemingly an attempt to play to partisan divides. It won’t work. Americans of both parties oppose this unproductive and cynical move.”

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She added, “President Biden looks forward to working with leaders in both parties to position America to out-compete China.”

Biden’s nominee for secretary of state Antony Blinken, who is yet to be confirmed by the US Senate said he supported Pompeo’s stance on China to an extent. 

Blinken said that the US can outcompete China, adding that countering the rising superpower will be “the most significant challenge” to the US.