Amid strained relations between China and Taiwan, China has imposed sanctions on seven Taiwanese politicians and government officials. Taiwan’s representative to the United States Xiao Meiqin and Secretary of the National Security Council Gu Lixiong, among others, were sanctioned, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday, August 16.

These and other blacklisted persons, as well as their family members, are prohibited from entering mainland China and the PRC’s Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions, and business relations with them are not permitted. Beijing called the sanctioned individuals “separatists” collaborating with outside forces and accused the US of deliberately undermining stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Visit of US Congressmen

Chinese officials imposed sanctions after Taiwan’s chief of staff, Tsai Ing-wen, welcomed five US congressmen, led by Democratic Senator Ed Markey, the previous day. The congressmen’s visit came two weeks after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. After Pelosi’s visit, the Chinese army held a series of military exercises near Taiwan. On August 15, preparations for further maneuvers were announced.

China considers Taiwan a rebellious province, resolutely opposes official contacts by other countries with this island, and threatens to forcibly annex Taiwan to the PRC. The United States is also officially adopting a “One China” policy. At the same time, Taiwan considers itself an independent state.