Advertisement
China hurried work on anti-sanctions law ‘after Joe Biden disappointed Beijing by continuing to take a tough stance’
- Government advisers say the plans were accelerated after the US President dashed hopes he would take a softer approach than Donald Trump
- Sources say discussions about the law started last year, but progress had initially been slow while Beijing waited to see what the new administration would do
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
99+
China speeded up plans for an anti-sanctions law after Joe Biden dashed Beijing’s hopes that he would adopt a softer policy stance towards China, sources and observers have said.
Advertisement
They said discussions about the law started last year during Donald Trump’s presidency but China was looking for signs that Washington would adopt a different approach under a new administration.
The law, which will provide a legal framework for retaliation and allow Chinese firms to seek compensation over foreign sanctions, is expected to be passed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee on Thursday.
“The idea was proposed last year and work on the anti-sanctions law started, but progress was not very quick because China was hopeful about Joe Biden,” said a Chinese government adviser speaking on condition of anonymity.
00:57
US Senate passes massive bipartisan bill to counter tech competition from China
US Senate passes massive bipartisan bill to counter tech competition from China
Washington has slapped a number of sanctions on China over its policies in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, targeting the city’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and the region’s party chief Chen Quanguo, as well as other senior mainland and Hong Kong officials and the 14 vice-chairmen of the NPC.
Advertisement
Advertisement