The United States is preparing to impose sanctions on at least a dozen of Chinese officials over Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) affairs, reported Reuters on Monday citing sources.

File photo: CGTN

The sanctions will be imposed on up to 14 people over "their alleged role in disqualification of elected opposition legislators" in the HKSAR, according to the report.

It came a week after the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that the country decided to impose sanctions on four people with US institutional links who have acted viciously on issues related to the HKSAR.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced the decision on November 30, in response to the US State Department and Treasury Department's announcement on November 9 that sanctions were being imposed on four Chinese officials from China's central government and the HKSAR government.

Hua said that China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the moves made by the United States, which has openly meddled in Hong Kong affairs and interfered in China's internal affairs, while grossly trampling on the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations.

"I have to emphasize again that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. The US side should immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs, should no longer interfere in China's internal affairs, and should go no further along the wrong path," Hua said.