China announced Friday September 11 the imposition of restrictions on American diplomats present in the country, including in Hong Kong, "
in the name of reciprocity
", after measures taken by the United States earlier this month.
Beijing did not specify the nature of these constraints.
But Washington recently imposed restrictions on the Chinese diplomatic corps, such as the requirement to apply for permission to go to universities or meet with local officials.
Read also: Beijing accuses the United States of threatening peace in the China Sea
Cultural events bringing together more than 50 people, organized by Chinese diplomatic missions outside their official buildings in the United States, must also receive a green light from the American authorities.
The Trump administration has indicated that it has taken these measures because its diplomats in China are victims of restrictions on access to people useful to understand local issues.
"
These American actions have seriously violated international law and fundamental standards of international relations
," Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denounced in a statement Friday evening.
“
China recently issued a diplomatic note imposing, in the name of reciprocity, restrictions on the activities of US embassies and consulates in China, including the US consulate in Hong Kong and its staff.
"
This decision comes against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration in relations between China and the United States, rivals in the economic and technological spheres and opposed on a multitude of subjects (Hong Kong, human rights, technologies, the coronavirus crisis in particular) .
"
We once again urge the United States to immediately correct its mistake and remove unreasonable restrictions on the activities of the Chinese Embassy and its staff based in the United States
", "
China will reciprocally respond to ( next) actions of the United States.
Zhao Lijian continued.
This confrontation between the two leading world powers in July took on the appearance of a new Cold War with the forced closure in Houston of the Chinese consulate, amid accusations of espionage.
China retaliated by ordering the United States consulate in Chengdu (southwest) a few days apart to close in turn.
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