Beijing has announced restrictions on American diplomats in China and Hong Kong in the latest tit-for-tat response to Washington’s recent attempts to limit the activities of Chinese embassy staff in America.

China’s Foreign Ministry issued a diplomatic note to say that it would take “reciprocal restrictions” against all U.S. embassy and consular staff in the country, ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press conference on Friday. The restrictions also applied to the consulate in Hong Kong, Zhao said, without elaborating on the details of the countermeasures.

The announcement came after the U.S. Department of State said on Sept. 2 that it would set controls over American diplomats in China, including requiring them to seek approval from the department before visiting university campuses or meeting with local officials.

A spokesperson from the U.S. consulate in Hong Kong gave no comment to Apple Daily’s query about the new restrictions.

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