The Chinese Defense Minister announced Saturday that it had decided to cancel a planned visit of the country's Navy commander Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong to the US following sanctions imposed by Washington against Beijing for cooperating with Russia.
"The Chinese side decided to immediately withdraw from the United States PLA Navy Commander Shen Jinlong, who is participating in the 23rd International Seapower Symposium and was planning a visit to the United States," the statement said.
The restrictions were imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) passed by Washington last August in response to Russia's alleged attempts to influence the 2016 US presidential election.
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Following the announcement of restrictions against the Chinese nationals, Beijing called on Washington to lift sanctions threatening to hold the United States accountable for its actions.