US Rejects China's Demand to Include Hong Kong Leader in Economic Summit

China has demanded that the United States invite Hong Kong's leader, Chief Executive John Lee, to an economic conference after reports emerged that he would be barred due to his role in suppressing the city's pro-democracy movement. The conflict adds strain to already tense relations between the two countries, which are grappling with disputes over security, technology, human rights, and other issues. The Chinese foreign ministry called the sanctions on Lee "illegal and unreasonable" and accused the US of undermining regional cooperation. The US has been making efforts to restore dialogue with China, but Beijing has demanded concessions without indicating any willingness to change its policies.