The United States has announced its intention to enact fresh visa restrictions on several Hong Kong officials in response to what it perceives as a significant erosion of rights and freedoms within the Chinese-administered territory.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed on Friday that China’s actions over the past year have continued to undermine the autonomy, democratic processes, and civil liberties pledged to Hong Kong, culminating in the recent implementation of a new national security law, referred to as Article 23.
“In light of these developments, the Department of State is initiating measures to impose new visa restrictions on numerous Hong Kong officials deemed responsible for the escalating crackdown on civil liberties,” stated Mr. Blinken in a released statement.
However, the statement did not specify which officials would be targeted by the restrictions.
In November, Hong Kong authorities rebuked a US legislative proposal that sought sanctions against 49 Hong Kong officials, including judges and prosecutors involved in national security cases. They accused US lawmakers of engaging in political grandstanding and attempting to intimidate the city.
Among the officials named in the proposed Hong Kong Sanctions Act were Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Police chief Raymond Siu, and several judges, including Andrew Cheung, Andrew Chan, Johnny Chan, Alex Lee, Esther Toh, and Amanda Woodcock.
The United States has previously imposed visa restrictions and other punitive measures on Hong Kong officials accused of undermining freedoms, and it has announced the termination of the special economic privileges that the territory had enjoyed under US law.
Additionally, it has warned foreign financial institutions against conducting business with such officials, as they could face sanctions as well.
According to the US Hong Kong Policy Act, the State Department is obligated to provide an annual report to Congress on the conditions prevailing in Hong Kong.
“I have once again certified this year that Hong Kong does not merit the same treatment under US laws as it did before July 1, 1997,” Mr. Blinken affirmed, referring to the date when Britain handed over Hong Kong to China.
“This year’s report chronicles the escalating repression and continued crackdown by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Hong Kong authorities on civil society, media, and dissenting voices, including the issuance of bounties and arrest warrants for over a dozen pro-democracy activists residing outside Hong Kong,” Mr. Blinken added.
In response, the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong criticized Mr. Blinken’s statements, accusing them of distorting facts and unfairly vilifying Hong Kong’s national security law and electoral system.
The spokesperson further contended that the threat of sanctions against Hong Kong officials constitutes a gross interference in both Hong Kong and China’s internal affairs.
Meanwhile, China’s embassy in Washington issued a statement strongly condemning US threats to impose unilateral sanctions on Hong Kong, accusing the US of disregarding facts and making baseless accusations against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments.