July 24, Kathmandu - China will impose sanctions on seven citizens and entities, including former US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

Just days before US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Shermam's visit to China, Beijing announced its decision to ban US citizens and organizations. The United States has previously banned Chinese officials in Hong Kong for allegedly playing a role in security crackdowns.

In response, China has also decided to impose sanctions. Sophie Robinson, China director of Human Rights Watch, Caroline Barthalameu, chairwoman of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and Adam King of the International Republican Institute were among those banned.

White House spokeswoman Jane Sackie said the United States would not be distracted by China's retaliatory measures. Deputy Foreign Minister Serman is on his way to China to discuss ways to address the strained relations.