CHINA has placed sanctions on four members of the US government commission on international religious freedom (USCIRF) as the Biden administration escalates its hostilities.

The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday in retaliation for similar measures imposed by Washington which claims China is persecuting Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province.

USCIRF chairwoman Nadine Maenza, deputy chairman Nury Turkel and members Anurima Bhargava and James Carr are banned from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau.