China sanctions seven Taiwanese officials for supporting Taiwan independence, says Chinese state media

Chinese state news agency Xinhua said among those sanctioned by China are Hsiao Bi-khim, the de facto Taiwan ambassador to Washington, and Wellington Koo, Secretary-General of Taiwan's National Security Council

The move comes after U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Representatives John Garamendi, Alan Lowenthal, Don Beyer and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen were in Taiwan’s Taipei expressing their support for sovereign Taiwan. File | Photo Credit: Reuters

China has sanctioned seven Taiwanese officials for supporting Taiwan independence, its state media reported on August 16.

The sanctions come after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan earlier this month, a move that China said had sent a wrong signal to pro-independence forces on the island.

Democratically self-ruled Taiwan rejects China's claim of sovereignty.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua said among those sanctioned by China's Taiwan Affairs Office are Hsiao Bi-khim, the de facto Taiwan ambassador to Washington, and Wellington Koo, Secretary-General of Taiwan's National Security Council.

Politicians from Taiwan's ruling political party, Democratic Progressive Party were also sanctioned.

A Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson said that those sanctioned would not be able to visit China, Hong Kong and Macau. Firms and investors related to them will also not be allowed to profit in China.

The seven are in addition to Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and Parliament Speaker You Si-kun, who were previously sanctioned by China.