WASHINGTON, March 22 (TASS) - US sanctions against Chinese officials seriously violate international relations, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in the United States Liu Pengyu told TASS.

According to the spokesman, the so-called human rights problems in China raised by the US do not exist. "Whatever restrictions the US imposes on Chinese officials under one pretext or another, seriously violate basic norms that govern international relations and interfere in China's internal affairs. China strongly opposes them," the diplomat stressed.

The diplomat noted that China will continue to take firm measures to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that the Washington administration is imposing sanctions on Chinese officials who Washington considers involved in rights violations and repression of religious and ethnic minorities both inside and outside of China.