China sanctions senior US lawmaker for visiting Taiwan

China’s Foreign Ministry sanctioned House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul on Thursday for visiting Taiwan, calling it a “serious wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces.”

China considers democratically ruled Taiwan its own land and actively opposes high-level exchanges between foreign and Taiwanese authorities, especially those involving President Tsai Ing-wen.

Last week, McCaul met Tsai in Taipei and pledged to help train Taiwan’s military and expedite weapon deliveries.

China’s Foreign Ministry said Republican McCaul repeatedly interfered in China’s internal affairs and endangered China’s interests.

He recently led a delegation to Taiwan, “seriously harming China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sending a serious wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces,” it added.

The ministry said McCaul will be barred from entering China, prevented from interacting with Chinese organizations and persons, and have his Chinese assets frozen under China’s anti-sanctions law.

McCaul called China’s action “a badge of honor,” adding, “Ironically, this baseless action serves U.S. interests by bringing more attention to our international partners and revealing the CCP’s (Chinese Communist Party’s) blatant aggression.”

China considers Taiwan its most sensitive issue with the US. Taipei rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

China has sanctioned foreign lawmakers and officials, including a deputy Lithuanian minister who visited Taipei last year, for criticizing China, supporting Taiwa, or visiting the island.

China sanctioned Trump administration officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, minutes after Joe Biden became president in early 2021.

China has sanctioned key Taiwanese officials.