China sanctions 11 US politicians, heads of organizations

BEIJING: China has announced

unspecified sanctions

against 11 US politicians and heads of organizations promoting democratic causes, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who have already been singled out by Beijing.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Monday said the 11 had ``performed badly'' on issues concerning Hong Kong, where China has cracked down on opposition voices following its imposition of a national security law in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city last month.

The number of Americans named by the ministry exactly equals the number of Hong Kong and

Chinese officials

placed on a sanctions list by the US last week over the crackdown.

China showed its determination to defy such pressure on Monday by arresting leading independent media tycoon Jimmy Lai and raiding the publisher's headquarters.

Others named by the foreign ministry included Senators Josh Hawley and

Tom Cotton

and Representative Chris Smith. Heads of organizations including the National Endowment for Democracy and

Freedom House

were also named.

Beijing already placed a travel ban on Rubio, Cruz and Smith last month after

Washington

announced similar measures against Chinese officials linked to measures taken against Muslims in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang.