File photo: VCG

Some Chinese officials were imposed additional visa restrictions by the United States on Monday over alleged "human rights" issues, according to a statement released by U.S. State Department.

"Family members of such persons may also be subject to these additional restrictions," the statement says.

The move came less than one month after the U.S. announced new visa rules that limit the duration of travel visas for members of the Communist Party of China and their immediate families.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department published a new 'Military End User' (MEU) List including 58 Chinese and 45 Russian companies.

"The U.S. Government has determined that these companies are 'military end users' for purposes of the 'military end user' control in the EAR that applies to specified items for exports, reexports, or transfers (in-country) to the China, Russia, and Venezuela when such items are destined for a prohibited 'military end user,'" according to a statement released by the Commerce Department.

On December 7, the U.S. imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 senior members of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislature, over Hong Kong issues.

Three days later, China decided to impose equivalent sanctions on U.S. officials for their stance on issues related to Hong Kong as a countermeasure to U.S. sanctions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters at a news briefing.

Responding to the U.S. visa rules, Hua said that several U.S. politicians and their anti-China rhetoric were "ridiculous" and "pathetic."

The behavior of the U.S. side was clearly going against the trend of history, did not meet the aspirations of the two peoples for friendly exchanges, and will deeply damage the interests of the U.S. itself, said Hua.