Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin denounced the latest US sanctions against Chinese individuals and entities as 'perverse actions' [File: Greg Baker/AFP]

Beijing, December 14 (RHC)-- China has warned the United States that it would “strike back” in response to any “reckless” actions, urging Washington to withdraw its recent passing of sanctions targeting people and entities tied to human rights abuses committed by Beijing.

The United States imposed sweeping human rights-related sanctions on Friday against Chinese individuals and entities, adding individuals and entities tied to Myanmar, North Korea and Bangladesh.  China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin denounced the sanctions as “perverse actions.”

“We urge the U.S. to immediately withdraw the relevant wrong decision and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and harming China’s interests.   “If the U.S. acts recklessly, China will take effective measures to strike back resolutely,” Wang said during a news conference in Beijing on Monday.

The measures are the latest in a raft of sanctions timed to coincide with Biden’s two-day virtual Summit for Democracy, where he announced initiatives to bolster democracy around the world and support for pro-democracy legislation in the United States.

On Monday, Wang vowed that Beijing “is unwavering in its determination to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests.”  He also defended China’s policy in dealing with the Muslim Uighur community in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, saying it is determined “to combat violence, terrorism, separatism, and religious extremist forces.”

“The perverse actions of the United States cannot destroy the overall shape of Xinjiang’s development, stop China’s progress, or reverse the trend of historical development.”