China says US has ‘weaponized’ visas to target exchanges

China on Wednesday accused U.S. of having “weaponized” issuance of visas following reported inability of a top Chinese program official to obtain permission to travel to a key conference in Washington. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that he of Chinese delegation to International Astronautical Congress wasn’t able to obtain a visa following an Oct. 12 interview, making it difficult for Chinese representatives to attend important events at meeting.

Reports said vice-chairman of China National ministration, Wu Yanhua, h planned to attend congress. Hua said U.S. has “weaponized” visa issuances and “repeatedly defied international responsibilities and obligations and impeded rmal international exchanges and cooperation.”

She said that “threatened and damd legitimate rights and interests of all parties in international community. U.S. Embassy in Beijing said it couldn’t discuss individual visa cases because of privacy issues.

Hua said that “for some time, U.S. has frequently rejected and delayed visa applications, revoked long-term visas of Chinese applicants and investigated and harassed Chinese scholars, students, business people, and scientific and technical personnel.”

China last year launched more missions to orbit than any or country and is on track to do same this year. Those missions include first-ever soft-landing of a craft on far side of moon.

However, close ties between Chinese program and country’s military have limited its participation in multinational efforts, including International Station. China is inste building its own permanent station and has invited or countries to join in effort.

visa incident also comes amid a simmering tre war between China and U.S. in which accusations that China steals or coerces foreign firms into handing over sensitive techlogy have played a major role.