The US announced plans for new sanctions on Chinese officials on Friday after 14 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong were convicted a Beijing-imposed national security law.
A court found the 14 pro-democracy activists guilty in a landmark subversion trial that critics pointed to as evidence of a continued crackdown on civil liberties.
"The United States is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts announced in the national security law trial of pro-democracy organizers in Hong Kong," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.
"The defendants were subjected to a politically motivated prosecution and jailed simply for peacefully participating in political activities protected under the Basic Law of Hong Kong."
As a result, the US said it is planning fresh visa restrictions on the officials responsible for implementing the security law.
Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
