China bans Mike Gallagher from country in a series of sanctions against the ex-congressman

WASHINGTON – China has banned former Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher from entering the country as part of a series of sanctions against the Green Bay Republican who has been critical of the country's government.

Under the sanctions, China could also seize any assets Gallagher might have in the country and prohibit individuals and organizations in China from interacting with him, China's Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday.

The ministry did not detail exact moves by Gallagher that led to its decision but said in a statement that Gallagher has used words and actions "that interfere in China's internal affairs, undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and infringe on China's interests."

Gallagher, who left Congress last month before the end of his term, led the House select committee probing how the U.S. can best counter the Chinese Communist Party's growing global influence and was among the top China hawks on Capitol Hill.

He has been a staunch supporter of Taiwan, the democratic island over which Beijing claims sovereignty, and in recent years has called for the U.S. to fortify the island in an effort to deter a potential invasion from China. He's warned of a new Cold War with the CCP.

The sanctions come a day after the inauguration of Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, with whom Gallagher met during a congressional delegation trip to Taiwan in February. Gallagher at the time said the U.S.'s partnership with the island was "stronger and more rock solid than ever."

Since leaving Congress, Gallagher joined the venture capital firm TitletownTech as a senior strategic adviser. He also serves as a distinguished fellow a the Hudson Institute, a think tank based in Washington.

On Tuesday, Gallagher said the sanctions showed the CCP is "perpetually paranoid" and contrasted U.S. sanctions on China with China's own.

"We sanction CCP officials for committing genocide and trafficking deadly fentanyl precursor chemicals," Gallagher said in a statement through the Hudson Institute. "They sanction American officials for speaking their mind, or seeking truth from facts, to borrow a phrase."

He noted China has criticized him for visiting Taiwan in the past and said he looks forward "to returning to Taiwan in the near future to discuss how we can enhance peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." A spokeswoman for Hudson said Gallagher does not have any assets in China.

“As the CCP attempts to silence defenders of freedom, we should continue to shine a light on the CCP’s growing authoritarian repression at home and aggression abroad and stand firm in promoting the security, freedom, and prosperity of America and its allies," Gallagher said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: China bans Mike Gallagher from entering the country