China Sanctions Former U.S. Lawmaker Mike Gallagher, Chair of House Committee on Chinese Communist Party

China has imposed sanctions on former U.S. lawmaker Mike Gallagher, banning him from entering the country and implementing other measures in response to his actions and statements that allegedly “interfered in China’s internal affairs,” the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.

The sanctions include freezing any potential assets Gallagher might have in China and prohibiting Chinese organizations and individuals from trading or cooperating with him. The ministry did not specify the exact actions or statements that led to these sanctions.

Gallagher, a Republican and former chair of the House committee on the Chinese Communist Party, has been a vocal critic of China and a staunch supporter of Taiwan. In February, he visited Taiwan, meeting with both then-President Tsai Ing-wen and current President Lai Ching-te. During the visit, Gallagher emphasized bipartisan support for Taiwan, describing Tsai as “a leader within the free world.”

Responding to the sanctions, Gallagher remarked that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was “perpetually paranoid” and perceived itself as engaged in a struggle against Western democracy, universal human rights, and freedom of speech, which he referred to as part of the “New Cold War.”

In a statement released through the Hudson Institute, a U.S. think tank where he is a fellow, Gallagher stated, “As the CCP attempts to silence defenders of freedom, we should continue to shine a light on the CCP’s growing authoritarian repression at home and aggression abroad and stand firm in promoting the security, freedom, and prosperity of America and its allies.”

Gallagher asserted that there was no moral equivalence between U.S. and Chinese sanctions, as Beijing targeted Americans for “speaking their mind.” He also expressed his intention to return to Taiwan soon.

The Hudson Institute confirmed that Gallagher did not hold any assets in China.

In related news, China criticized U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday for congratulating Lai Ching-te on his inauguration, labeling Lai as a separatist.

The diplomatic tensions highlight the ongoing friction between the U.S. and China over issues related to Taiwan and broader geopolitical rivalries.