TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China on Tuesday (May 21) banned former U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher from entering the country in response to his support for Taiwan and criticism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Gallagher called the CCP “perpetually paranoid" and pointed out the differences between China and U.S. sanctions. 

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

Gallagher visited Taiwan in February and pledged to help speed up U.S. weapons deliveries. 

"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.

He added that he looked forward to visiting Taiwan again “to discuss how we can enhance peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Following President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) inauguration on Monday, China’s foreign ministry blasted foreign lawmakers for attending, saying it was “blatant interference in China’s internal affairs.”