Stung by China’s national security law, the Trump administration opted to further strain its relations with China by imposing sanctions against Hong Kong.

On August 7, the US sanctioned 11 Hong Kong and Chinese mainland officials, including Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR government, for their role in the enforcement of the national security law. The targeted officials may have their assets in the US seized and will be barred from doing business within the country, according to a statement released by the US Treasury Department.

Chinese officials fired back, saying the “clowninh actions” will not intimidate China. Lam stated earlier that she has no assets in the US. Lam also said on Facebook that she doesn’t want to visit the US anyway.

The US has no legal standing to impose such sanctions in the first place, but it’s a flagrant and barbaric interference in China’s internal affairs.

If national security is a country’s immunity system, the US is one of the most protected countries in the world, with at least 20 laws, including the Protect America Act of 2007 and the USA Freedom Act. However, US politicians, long known for their double standards, do everything they can to obstruct other countries from doing the same. They went out of their way to condemn the postponement of the Legislative Council General Election, a decision made by the Hong Kong government for the safety of the residents, as the city tackles its third wave of coronavirus infections. Ironically, the double standards of the US government came a day after Trump floated the idea of delaying the presidential election in a tweet.

In the statement issued last Friday, the Pentagon alleged that the national security law “undermined Hong Kong’s autonomy.” Here, the word “autonomy” has been frequently taken out of context in a series of Western politicians’ narratives slamming China. These politicians give people a false impression that the freedoms granted to Hong Kong are the equivalent of “independence.” Under the Basic Law and the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is a Chinese territory and not an independent nation, an indisputable fact that should not be mistaken or distorted.

People with discernment know Uncle Sam is the one that instigates violence and turmoil in Hong Kong in the name of advocating democracy, even as a public health crisis is ravaging the US. America’s collusion with leading anti-government protesters is no secret. From scrapping the “special status” of Hong Kong to sanctioning Hong Kong officials who serve to safeguard the interest of Hong Kong residents, the US views Hong Kong as a pawn to suppress China, fearing that a rising China will eventually replace it as the most powerful country in the world.

Coming from a different history, culture and system, China has no intention of competing for global dominance with the US. At this moment, instead of brainstorming ideas to jeopardize China, what the US really needs to mull over is its readiness to live with China in peace.