US sanctions slammed as hegemonic

China, HK officials rip Washington for interference; countermeasures vowed

Chinese central government and Hong Kong officials on Tuesday condemned the United States for imposing sanctions on six mainland and Hong Kong officials, accusing Washington of using hegemonic "bullying" tactics.

On Monday local time, the US government announced sanctions on six Chinese officials, groundlessly alleging they have been using national security laws to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy.

The officials sanctioned are Dong Jingwei, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Paul Lam Ting-kwok, secretary for justice; Raymond Siu Chak-yee, commissioner of police; Sonny Au Chik-wong, secretary-general of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR; and two assistant police commissioners in charge of national security affairs, Dick Wong Chung-chun and Margaret Chiu Wing-lan.