The Chinese government has announced counter-sanctions against several Americans, including current and former officials, marking the first time that Beijing has used its newly passed legislation on such action.
Former US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross was among those blacklisted by the Chinese Government on Friday, as Beijing hit back at Washington over US sanctions imposed on Chinese officials relating to the alleged crackdown in Hong Kong. It’s the Human Rights loudmouth gamble and fight for the 5G supremacy in the world. Thanks to President Trump, China’s march for controlling the technology war in the communications field has slowed down.
In addition to Ross, Beijing imposed sanctions on a number of current and former US officials. Many are, or have been, the heads of the Congressional – Executive Commission on China, the US – China Economic and Security Review Commission and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
The sanctions are the first imposed under the China’s anti-foreign-sanction law, passed in June, 2021. The law reportedly allows Beijing to hit back after foreign nation states impose punitive measures on the Chinese citizens and companies.
The move comes just days before US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is due to visit China as part of her official trip to Asia, which also includes political stops in Japan and South Korea. These visits are similar to when US officials visit India, they visit Pakistan too maintain balance of relations.
Last week Washington imposed sanctions on seven Chinese officials, supposedly culpable for undermining democracy in Hong Kong and new Security Law passed in Hong Kong. All of the individuals sanctioned were deputy directors at the liaison office.
The two countries have traded numerous diplomatic blows in recent years, with the US frequently resorting to targeted sanctions. China has vowed to protect its citizens and companies from American interference, especially in the 5G domain.
Many nations have such laws. Israel for example has Boycott, divestment and sanctions protocols. These are essentially anti-speech laws that make it illegal for anyone to be critical of the State of Israel.
The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 (the “Regulations”) enable the UK government to designate persons, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they are, or have been, involved in “serious corruption”, which covers bribery involving foreign public officials and misappropriation of property by foreign public officials.
‘Involvement’ in serious corruption extends more broadly than conduct that would constitute an offence under the UK’s Bribery Act 2010. It can apply to persons who facilitate, profit from, conceal, or launder the proceeds of serious corruption, and to persons who fail (deliberately or recklessly) to fulfil their responsibility to investigate or prosecute such corruption, or who interfere in proceedings relating to such corruption.
On 26th April 2021, the UK government brought into force a new sanctions regime, designed to target individuals involved in the serious corruption and prevent them from entering the UK or using the UK financial system. To date, 22 individuals have been designated offenders under this act.
The new regime marks the latest development in the UK’s post-Brexit shift to a ‘mid-Atlantic’ sanctions strategy, with the focus of coordination shifting from the EU to the US.
The 22 individuals designated under the regime to date comprise:
Fourteen Russian nationals, including public officials, accused of the misappropriation of US$ 230 million of Russian state assets via a fraudulent tax scheme uncovered by the lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in prison in Moscow in 2009;
The three Gupta brothers and their associate, accused of serious corruption in relation to South African politicians, which resulted in recent riots and attacks on Indians;
A Sudanese businessman, said to be an enabler of corruption and violence in relation to funds from the South Sudan; and
Three Latin American public officials, accused of serious corruption in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras.
None of these individuals were previously designated under the UK sanctions regimes.
Such laws deter the concept of Vasudhaiv Kutumbam, but gives a very strong signal that the nation cannot be pulled down.
Here in our nation, Indian opposition harp on trivial issues of snooping, spying and eavesdropping on non-descript politicians and personal assistants of Delhi CM rather than national and tough international issues.
Such spying is done across the board on foreign leaders and President Trump spied ruthlessly German Chancellor Angela Merkel, since Trump wanted duty reduction for American cars.
It’s time for India to have such laws and counter measures!
