And that's a 4D chess move by the CCP. People thought that the sanctions placed by the CCP was merely symbolic, or even reactionary - reactionary because
1. Supposedly the CCP was afraid of sanctioning these individuals and only dared to do so at the end of the term
2. CCP was supposedly 'scaring the Democrats' by making such a move
Really the move was not as reactionary and playground-level as it seems. As you've shown, the move has substance and not just style - it affects these outgoing politicians who want to enter industry/consulting and making fat bucks. It sends a warning signal to everyone, not just Democrats, that trying to scapegoat the CCP will come with consequences.
Also, the timing isn't bad like some people think. It's designed to be subtle and give hints to US politicians about what not to do. It's different from the American rah-rah style of announcing Big, Fat sanctions on whoever they don't like. The CCP's sanctions show they know what they are doing, and also indicate it was measured, calculated, while not scaring the hell out of the ordinary person and incentivizing further anti-CCP movement. It says: I am a balanced, coolheaded person willing to engage with everyone on fair terms, but if you dare to attack my interests, I have means to punish you, and it will actually hurt.
Some people have wondered why Donald Trump wasn't sanctioned. Well that's an elephant in the room move, one that will sink Sino-US relations to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Sanctioning the leader of either China or USA is similar to the nuclear option. After all, even when Tokyo was firebombed, the Imperial Palace was left unharmed.
