China sanctions former US lawmaker who supported Taiwan
BEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday sanctioned Mike Gallagher, a former Republican member of Congress from Wisconsin who has shown support for Taiwan.
Gallagher will be banned from entering China, any assets he holds in the country will be frozen and he will be barred from various exchanges with Chinese organizations and individuals, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced.
The sanctions come a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, on his inauguration Monday.
China claims the self-ruled island as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary, and bristles at other countries’ contacts with Taipei. On Monday, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced sanctions on Boeing and two other U.S. defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan.
Gallagher, who stepped down in April, led the House pushback against the Chinese government, including helping to pass a bill that could ban popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake.
In February, Gallagher led a Congressional delegation to Taiwan in a visit that sought to assure Taipei of Washington’s continued support.
The United States, like most countries, doesn’t recognize Taiwan as a country but is bound by its own laws to ensure the island can defend itself.
Related articles
US defender John Brooks to leave German club Hoffenheim
SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) — United States defender John Brooks is set to leave German Bundesliga club H2024-05-22Struggling Chinese developer Evergrande warns it could run out of money
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-22Scientists reveal the surest way to stop feeling angry in stressful situations
Going for a run, taking a few deep breaths or even screaming into a pillow are tried and tested stra2024-05-22Enjoy last night's solar eclipse? How to tell if it could have PERMANENTLY damaged your eyes
It was dubbed the biggest astronomical event of the decade. An estimated 32million people enjoyed on2024-05-22Thailand welcomes the return of trafficked antiquities from New York's Metropolitan Museum
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s National Museum hosted a welcome-home ceremony Tuesday for two ancient sta2024-05-22Piece of 5,800lb battery pallet tossed from NASA's ISS crashes through Florida home
A piece of metal came crashing through a home in Florida that is believed to be from a 5,800-pound b2024-05-22
atest comment