Reciprocal restrictions put on officials who 'concocted lies'

China has decided to impose visa restrictions on United States officials who have "concocted lies about China's human rights situation, promoted sanctions against China and hurt China's interests", Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.

China made the decision according to its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests and protect the legitimate and lawful interests of people on the Chinese side, Wang told a daily news conference.

China's move came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement earlier this month that the US is imposing visa restrictions on Chinese officials who are involved with what it says is "repressing" religious people and ethnic group members.

At a news conference on March 22, Wang said China would take reciprocal countermeasures if the US did not revoke its restrictions immediately.

At Thursday's news conference, Wang said: "The US is making vile lies under the pretext of so-called human rights issues, and taking them as an excuse to interfere with China's domestic affairs, smear China's image and oppress Chinese officials.

"Such behavior lacks morality in the least, and seriously violates international law and basic rules of international relations," Wang said, voicing China's resolute objection.