U.S. HITS CHINESE OFFICIALS WITH SANCTIONS

WASHINGTON The United States on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their alleged role in Beijing's disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.

The move targeted the vice chairpersons of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the top decision-making body of the Chinese legislature.

The action was widely seen as part of an effort by outgoing President Donald Trump to cement his toughon-China legacy and also box president-elect Joe Biden into hardline positions on Beijing at a time of bipartisan anti- China sentiment in Congress.

The Trump administration earlier slapped sanctions on Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam, pictured, the Asian financial hub's current and former police chiefs and other top officials.