U.S. "sanctions" against HK-based Chinese officials "despicable": spokesperson

BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese government spokesperson on Saturday denounced the so-called sanctions imposed by the United States on Hong Kong-based Chinese central government officials as "despicable."

The spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council expressed strong indignation and condemnation against the so-called sanctions as well as the rumors the U.S. side spread on Hong Kong's business environment.