Beijing — China has announced reciprocal visa restrictions on U.S. officials in response to what it describes as “indiscriminate” U.S. visa curbs on Chinese officials, according to Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Lin Jian stated that China has lodged formal complaints with the United States, expressing strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the U.S. actions. “The United States deliberately spreads false information, discredits China’s human rights situation, and seriously interferes in China’s internal affairs,” Lin said.
China’s countermeasures will target U.S. officials who, according to Lin, “concoct lies on human rights issues related to China, promote the introduction of sanctions against China, and harm China’s interests.” He emphasized that these actions by the U.S. “seriously violate international law and basic norms governing international relations.”
Lin highlighted that the United Nations Human Rights Council recently approved China’s participation in the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review, which he said reflects the international community’s recognition of China’s human rights achievements. “The U.S. has no right or qualification to comment on the human rights situation in other countries and make irresponsible remarks,” he added.
The spokesperson urged the United States to focus on addressing its own human rights issues rather than using human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs. “If the U.S. really cares about human rights, it should abandon its double standards and reflect on its own misdeeds,” Lin stated.
The unfolding diplomatic friction underscores the increasing tensions between the two nations over human rights and other sensitive issues. Observers suggest that this exchange of visa restrictions may further complicate the already strained relations.
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China lodges representations to U.S. over visa curbs on officials
cgtn.com
