China on Tuesday imposed sanctions, including an entry ban on seven Taiwanese officials and lawmakers accused of being “stubborn” for independence, leading to condemnation of the democratically administered island.
The sanctions came after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan this month.
China sees Taiwan as its own territory, not a separate country. The Taiwanese government is contesting the Chinese claim.
Among those being sanctioned are Taiwan’s de facto U.S. ambassador, Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s National Security Council secretary-general, Wellington Koo, and politicians from Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, China’s office for Taiwan affairs said.
A spokesperson for the Taiwan affairs office said those who were sanctioned would not be able to visit China, Hong Kong and Macau. Companies and related investors in China will not be allowed to profit either.
“For some time now, some stubborn separatist elements have been trying to conspiracy with outside powers in provocations defending Taiwan’s independence outside of their own interests,” the spokesperson said, according to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
“The activities of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi became more evident during her visit to the Taiwan region of China, further demonstrating Taiwan’s stubborn nature in its quest for independence.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the island is a democracy “in which China cannot interfere”.
source: Noticias
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