미국, 중국 최고입법기관 전인대 상무위 부위원장 14명 제재<br /><br />U.S. has imposed sanctions on more than a dozen Chinese officials,... over their alleged role in Beijing's disqualification of opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong.<br />Bae Eun-ji reports.<br />The U.S. on Monday imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on 14 Chinese officials.<br />The new measures will freeze their assets and bar the officials and their immediate family members from entering the U.S.<br />This comes as Hong Kong's Beijing-backed government expelled four opposition members last month,... after city authorities were given such powers by the Chinese government.<br />This prompted many pro-democracy opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong to resign... saying they were stepping down in solidarity with their colleagues.<br />U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized Beijing, saying the unrelenting assault against Hong Kong’s democratic processes has rendered the body a "rubber stamp" parliament.<br />In response, China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing will take countermeasures should the U.S. continue down the "wrong path"... adding it will make the necessary moves to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests.<br />"We firmly oppose and strongly condemn the vicious attacks on the Chinese political system by people like Pompeo and the further restrictions imposed by the United States on people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two countries."<br />The sanctions are widely seen as part of President Trump's efforts to pile pressure on China before President-elect Joe Biden takes over in January.<br />Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.<br />
