China: China has imposed sanctions on US figures after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the US, as well as on Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States.

The sanctions targeted the Ronald Reagan Library, which hosted the meeting between Ms. Tsai and US House Speaker Mr. Kevin McCarthy, and the Hudson Institute, which hosted Ms. Tsai in New York and presented her with an award.

Four US nationals were listed, including the chair and director of the Hudson Institute and the current head and former director of the Reagan Foundation. A second round of sanctions was unveiled against Ms. Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US.

According to reports, the sanctions prohibit the targets and their family members from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. Furthermore, they prohibit investors and firms related to the targets from cooperating with mainland organisations and individuals.

The moves come after the Taiwan president met the US House speaker during a stopover in Los Angeles.

Beijing considers Taiwan to be Chinese territory, to be “reunified” by force if necessary. Ms. Tsai has commented that Taiwan is a sovereign nation and its future is up to its people to decide.

Recently, China’s Taiwan affairs office accused the US institutions and executives of “providing a platform and convenience for Ms. Tsai Ing-wen to engage in ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities”. It also announced “punishments” on a Taiwanese organisation, the Prospect Foundation, which counts former Taiwanese ministers and executives on its board, and the regional Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, accusing them of having “gone all out to ingratiate themselves with anti-China forces.”

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