China Retaliates with Visa Restrictions on US Officials

China has announced visa restrictions on certain U.S. officials in response to what it describes as 'egregious behavior' regarding Hong Kong-related issues, marking a retaliatory measure against the U.S.'s sanctions on Chinese officials. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that this move is a reaction to the U.S.'s alleged interference in China's internal affairs, particularly concerning the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong. This development follows Washington's condemnation of the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, which the U.S. views as a crackdown on freedoms. The U.S. has also been preparing further sanctions against Hong Kong officials, exacerbating tensions between the two nations. Beijing emphasized that Hong Kong is an internal matter and urged the U.S. to respect its sovereignty. The situation reflects escalating geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S. over the autonomy and governance of Hong Kong.