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Mike Pompeo (archive recording)
Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
The message from the Chinese Foreign Ministry does not say exactly what it is about: Beijing imposed far-reaching sanctions on Wednesday against Mike Pompeo, the foreign minister of ex-US President Donald Trump, and another 27 US citizens.
These include two other former confidants of Trump, former security advisor John Bolton and former chief advisor Steve Bannon.
Pompeo is therefore no longer allowed to travel to mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.
In addition, the sanctioned persons and any associated companies are no longer allowed to do business in China.
The reason for the sanctions are "crazy actions that have seriously affected China's internal affairs," according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
During Trump's tenure, relations between Washington and Beijing had deteriorated rapidly.
Shortly before the end of the Trump administration, Pompeo once again tightened the tone: he officially accused China of “genocide” against the Muslim Uighur minority.
"I believe this genocide is ongoing and that we are witnessing the systematic attempt by the Chinese party state to destroy the Uyghurs," said Pompeo.
For some time now, the Chinese leadership has been massively criticized internationally for its actions against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
According to human rights organizations and researchers, at least one million Uyghurs and other Muslims are detained in hundreds of detention camps in northwest China's province.
But the new government also apparently wants to continue the tough course towards Beijing: Although he does not agree with all of Trump's methods, it was right to adopt a tougher pace, said Foreign Minister-designate Antony Blinken on Tuesday at his hearing in Congress.
There is no doubt that China is the greatest challenge for the US of all countries.
He is convinced there is a bipartisan agreement in Congress to oppose Chinese politics.
Blinken said he shared Pompeo's allegations that the Chinese government was perpetrating genocide against the Uyghurs.
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as / Reuters