TRUMP Administration imposes fresh sanctions on China’s Actors ‘’Linked to Malign Activities’’

Ebangla Bureau

United States has imposed new sanctions on PRC’s actors linked to activities to harm the North American nation’s interests and undermine its allies and partners.  The United States will use all countermeasures available, including actions to prevent the People’s Republic of China (PRC) companies and institutions from exploiting U.S. goods and technologies for malign purposes.  Today’s actions mark yet another sign of our resolve, says Secretary of State. Michael  R. Pompeo in a statement. The United States has added four entities to the Entity List for enabling human rights abuses within China by providing DNA-testing materials or high-technology surveillance equipment to the PRC government.  We urge the Chinese Communist Party to respect the human rights of the people of China, including Tibetan Buddhists, Christians, Falun Gong members, Uyghur Muslims, and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups. Additionally, the Department of Commerce is adding nineteen entities to the Entity List for systematically coordinating and committing more than a dozen instances of theft of trade secrets from U.S. corporations to advance the PRC defence industrial complex; engaging in activities that undermine U.S. efforts to counter illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials; or using U.S. exports to support the PLA and PRC defence industrial base, whose ultimate goal is to surpass the capabilities of other countries they view as competitors, particularly the United States, Pompeo added. These new restrictions also impose costs on Beijing’s unlawful campaign of coercion in the South China Sea.  The Department of Commerce is adding 25 shipbuilding research institutes affiliated with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation to the Entity List, as well as six other entities that provide research, development, and manufacturing support for the People’s Liberation Army Navy or attempted to acquire U.S.-origin items in support of PLA programs.  Commerce is also adding five PRC state-owned enterprises, including the China Communications Construction Company, for their role in coercion of South China Sea claimant states. Image courtesy:The Guardian