China to impose visa restrictions on US personnel with 'egregious behaviour' on Tibet

Reaffirming ir stance to impose ‘countermeasures’, China anunced on July 8 that it will impose visa restrictions on US citizens with “egregious behaviour” towards Tibet in a tit-for-tat move. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a press briefing that Beijing ‘strongly opposes’ travel bans by Washington on Chinese officials and has also called for ‘interference’ to stop. Zhao also indicated that US government should step back from ‘internal’ affairs with Tibet-related issues in a bid to avoid furr dam to already spiralling relations between both nations. 

While US President Donald Trump administration has been targeting Asian superpower for several months w, in latest development, it imposed travel bans on Chinese officials after claiming that y are restricting foreigners’ access to Tibet. In response, Zhao clarified on July 8 that China encours foreigners to travel to Himalayan region. But at same time, he said re are ‘certain manment and protection measures’ for people coming from different nations to Tibet that lie in synergy with law and regulations which are placed keeping in mind ‘special geographical and climatic conditions’. 

Read - Rescuers Search For 9 Missing In China Landslide

Read - China To Allow WHO Experts To Trace Coronavirus Origin After US Withdraws From UN ncy

‘Seek reciprocity in relationship’

What China called a ‘wrong move’ is US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s anuncement on July 7 declaring restrictions on visas of Chinese officials involved in limiting access of foreigners to Tibet and also said that y continue to 'seek reciprocity in  relationship'.  US reaffirmed its support for “meaningful automy” for Tibetans but has resulted in yet ar source of friction between world’s two greatest superpowers. Pompeo had t mentioned number of officials but said that y are part of ruling Chinese Communist Party under American law that calls for US citizens to visit Tibet.

Just a day before Pompeo’s anuncement, US President Donald Trump had said that China has t only caused a “great dam” to America but also to rest of world. In recent weeks, China has taken centre st for criticism eir due to its military advancements or political ones. World leaders from Canada to UK, US and Australia have raised ir voices against China’s controversial national security law on former British colony, Hong Kong but Beijing has mand to brush off all ir ‘deep concerns'.

Read - China Backs WHO, Slams US' Decision To Withdraw From UN Body

Read - China: Remarks Of FBI Director 'full Of Political Lies'