China Sanctions US Institutions, Their Leaders for Hosting Taiwan President during Transit
(MENAFN) China has imposed sanctions on two US institutions and their personnel for hosting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen during her "transit" to Central America. The Hudson Institute in New York hosted an event where Tsai was presented with a global leadership award on March 30 during her 10-day trip to Central America. On her return from Guatemala and Belize, two of Taiwan's only 13 diplomatic allies, Tsai met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the Reagan Library in California.
According to China's Foreign Ministry, the "countermeasures" were taken against the Hudson Institute and the Reagan Library, as well as their directors. Sarah May Stern and John Walters, chair and president of the Hudson Institute, respectively, as well as John Heubusch and Joanne Drake, executive director and chief administrative officer of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, were added to China's sanctions list.
The Chinese government stated that the two American institutions were "banned from having any exchanges, cooperation, and other activities with any individuals, universities, or institutions in Beijing's territory, including Hong Kong and Macau." If the institutions have any properties in China, they will also be frozen.
China has been vocal about its opposition to any official interactions between foreign countries and the government of Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the United States for allowing Tsai to engage in political activities during her transit, stating that it was in disregard of China's repeated representations and firm opposition.
The sanctions imposed by China on the US institutions and their leaders underscore the tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan. The US has been a long-standing supporter of Taiwan and has continued to provide military and diplomatic support to the island. However, China has been increasing its pressure on Taiwan, including conducting military drills near the island and persuading countries to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The sanctions imposed by China on the US institutions and their leaders may have implications for future interactions between the two countries. The move may further strain the already tense relationship between China and the United States and could impact other areas of cooperation between the two nations. It remains to be seen how the United States will respond to the sanctions and whether this will lead to further escalation of tensions between the two countries.
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