he actions of the State Department contradict the “self-proclaimed values of openness and freedom of the American side,” said the Chinese embassy in the United States.
The United States should lift unjustified restrictions on Chinese diplomats’ activities in the country. This was stated in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chinese embassy in Washington.
According to the diplomatic mission, the State Department’s actions “flagrantly violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations”, and China is categorically against it.
“It also contradicts the self-proclaimed values of openness and freedom on the American side. China has always supported and provided the necessary assistance for foreign diplomatic and consular personnel, including from the U.S., to perform their duties in China”, – the embassy said. – “We call on the U.S. side to correct its mistake, reverse that decision and support and assist Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel in the United States in the performance of their duties.”
U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said Wednesday that Chinese diplomats will now need special permission from the State Department to visit university campuses and meet with local authorities. In addition, Chinese diplomats will now need special permission to hold “cultural events with an audience of more than 50 people outside of diplomatic institutions. The U.S. foreign policy chief called these actions “a direct response to the excessive restrictions” imposed by Beijing on American diplomats. At the same time, the secretary of state stated his readiness to give up new requirements to the Chinese diplomats in case of similar actions from Beijing.