미국, 중국 최고입법기관 전인대 상무위 부위원장 14명 제재

U.S. has imposed sanctions on more than a dozen Chinese officials,... over their alleged role in Beijing's disqualification of opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong.
Bae Eun-ji reports.
The U.S. on Monday imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on 14 Chinese officials.
The new measures will freeze their assets and bar the officials and their immediate family members from entering the U.S.
This comes as Hong Kong's Beijing-backed government expelled four opposition members last month,... after city authorities were given such powers by the Chinese government.
This prompted many pro-democracy opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong to resign... saying they were stepping down in solidarity with their colleagues.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized Beijing, saying the unrelenting assault against Hong Kong’s democratic processes has rendered the body a "rubber stamp" parliament.
In response, China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing will take countermeasures should the U.S. continue down the "wrong path"... adding it will make the necessary moves to safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests.
"We firmly oppose and strongly condemn the vicious attacks on the Chinese political system by people like Pompeo and the further restrictions imposed by the United States on people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two countries."
The sanctions are widely seen as part of President Trump's efforts to pile pressure on China before President-elect Joe Biden takes over in January.
Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.