BEIJING (BLOOMBERG, REUTERS) - China imposed sanctions on former Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and other Trump administration officials even as Joe Biden was being inaugurated as president, saying they had made "crazy moves" that harmed US-China ties.
Also on the list of 28 people being sanctioned were former President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and his deputy Matt Pottinger, trade adviser Peter Navarro, and US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, according to a statement issued on Wednesday (Jan 20) by China's Foreign Ministry as the inauguration for Mr Biden was taking place.
They and their families will be banned from entering China, Hong Kong or Macau, or doing business with China.
The officials listed were instrumental in shaping the Trump administration's more confrontational stance towards China, which included a raft of sanctions and a declaration, on its final day, that the government had committed genocide in its Xinjiang region. Also on the list were former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and former National Security Adviser John Bolton.
The officials "planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves which have gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, undermined China's interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-US relations," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The statement didn't list all the people affected by the restrictions.
A spokeswoman for Mr Biden's National Security Council said on Wednesday that China's sanctions move was "unproductive and cynical".
"Imposing these sanctions on Inauguration Day is seemingly an attempt to play to partisan divides," Ms Emily Horne said in a statement to Reuters.
"Americans of both parties should criticize this unproductive and cynical move. President Biden looks forward to working with leaders in both parties to position America to out-compete China," Ms Horne said.
Pompeo, who unleashed a barrage of measures against China in his final weeks in office, declared on Tuesday (Jan 19) that China had committed "genocide and crimes against humanity" against Uighur Muslims.
"This so-called determination by Pompeo is nothing but paper," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said in response.
"This US politician is notorious for lying and cheating, is making himself a laughing stock and a clown."
China has repeatedly rejected accusations of abuse in its Xinjiang region, where a United Nations panel has said at least 1 million Uighurs and other Muslims had been detained in camps.
Although Mr Biden and his team are unlikely to match the harsh rhetoric levelled by Mr Pompeo and other Trump administration officials, they have indicated they aren't ready to ease tensions as much as China's leaders would want.
Retired General Lloyd Austin, Mr Biden's nominee for defense secretary, said in a written submission for his confirmation hearing on Tuesday that the new administration "will view China as our most serious global competitor and, from a defence perspective, the pacing threat in most areas".
The same day, Mr Biden's pick for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said at his hearing that China is "the most significant challenge of any nation state to the United States in terms of our interests, the interests of the American people".
But he said he saw some room for cooperation "when it is in our mutual interest".
Mr Biden's transition team has said it hopes to forge some agreement with China on climate change and nuclear arms control.
Those targeted by China's sanctions on Wednesday are likely to wear the restrictions as a badge of honour. Mr Pompeo, who railed against China in a string of tweets in recent days, may boast of his tough stance in a future political campaign.
"I've been sanctioned by the Communist Chinese government for 'nasty behaviour,"' Mr Bolton tweeted on Wednesday. "Great news for an inauguration day! I accept this prestigious recognition of my unrelenting efforts to defend American freedom."
It's not the first time China has sanctioned top US officials. In July, the country announced sanctions on Republican senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and other officials over what the foreign ministry said was interference in China's internal affairs.
