• China sanctions US Congress members, officials, and NGO heads for "egregious behavior" regarding Hong Kong.
• Beijing's move is a response to US sanctions imposed on Chinese and Hong Kong officials earlier.
• The situation highlights rising tensions between the US and China amid an ongoing trade war.

China has announced sanctions against members of the United States Congress, officials, and leaders of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for what it describes as “egregious behavior” concerning Hong Kong. According to Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, the sanctions are a direct response to the US's previous unilateral sanctions on Chinese officials, which Beijing deems unlawful and a violation of international law. Guo emphasized, “Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs do not allow interference from the US,” asserting that any wrong actions by the US will be met with “reciprocal countermeasures,” as reported by SCMP and AA.

The sanctions follow similar actions taken by the US earlier this month, which included targeting six Chinese and Hong Kong officials accused of involvement in “transnational repression” that threatens Hong Kong's autonomy. This escalatory cycle highlights the deepening rift between the two nations, exacerbated by an ongoing trade war affecting both economies. The US had previously stated that these officials were involved in activities that aimed to "intimidate, silence, and harass" pro-democracy activists, as indicated by reports from LA Times and SCMP.

In its announcement, China condemned the US for its interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs, calling the actions “despicable” and reflective of "shameless behavior." The commentary from Beijing’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office asserted that such US sanctions have been met with strong indignation from the Chinese populace, claiming that the US's tactics are designed to destabilize Hong Kong. The office's letter elaborated on the repercussions faced by US policies and warned about China’s fortification against perceived aggression, as noted by LA Times and SCMP.