(File photo: Chinese Embassy in the US)

Washington (People’s Daily) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday announced a set of new restrictions for Chinese diplomats operating inside the US.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in the US said that, with the excuse of reciprocity, the US has imposed yet another unjustified restriction and barrier on Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel. This has grossly trampled on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and China is firmly opposed to it. It also runs counter to the self-proclaimed values of openness and freedom of the US side. China has always supported and provided necessary facilitation for foreign diplomatic and consular personnel, including those from the US, to perform their official duties in China. We urge the US side to correct its mistake, revoke this decision and provide support and facilitation for Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel in the US to perform their duties as well.

Under the new restrictions, senior Chinese diplomats in the US will be required to receive approval from the State Department to visit college campuses or meet with local government officials.

In addition, cultural events with groups larger than 50 people hosted by the Chinese Embassy and consular posts outside of mission properties will also require US approval, and the Trump administration will also push for all official social media accounts run by the Chinese government to be identified as such.