us-may-impose-new-visa-restrictions-on-hong-kong-officials-amid-rights-crackdown

On Friday, the United States announced it would impose additional visa restrictions on several Hong Kong officials in response to the Chinese-led assault on human rights and freedoms, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

 

Secretary Antony Blinken highlighted China's consistent undermining of Hong Kong's promised high level of autonomy, democratic institutions, and rights and freedoms over the past year, including the recent enactment of Article 23, a new national security law.

 

Blinken stated, "The State Department has announced plans to implement new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials involved in the escalating crackdown on rights and freedoms."

 

However, last year, Hong Kong opposed a U.S. measure seeking sanctions on 49 Hong Kong officials, judges, and prosecutors involved in national security matters, accusing U.S. politicians of attempting to intimidate the administration.

 

Officials mentioned in the Hong Kong Sanctions Act included Secretary of Justice Paul Lam, Police Chief Raymond Siu, and judges Andrew Cheung, Andrew Chan, Johnny Chan, Alex Lee, Esther Toh, and Amanda Woodcock.

 

Under the U.S. Hong Kong Policy Act, the State Department is required to submit an annual report to Congress on Hong Kong's situation.

 

Blinken noted, "Once again this year, I have certified that Hong Kong does not warrant treatment under U.S. laws in the same manner as it was before July 1, 1997," referring to the date when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China.

 

In response to Blinken's statement, an official spokeswoman criticised the threat to prosecute Hong Kong authorities as "gross interference" in Hong Kong and Chinese internal affairs.

 

She suggested that instead of acting as the world's policeman and issuing annual reports under the Hong Kong Policy Act, the United States should introspect.

 

Meanwhile, in recent years, numerous pro-democracy politicians and activists have faced imprisonment or exile, while liberal media outlets and civil society organisations have been shut down. In a joint statement issued this month, 145 community and advocacy groups condemned the security measure and called for accountability for officials involved in its implementation, as well as a review of the status of Hong Kong's Economic and Trade Offices worldwide.