US Ramps Up Pressure on Hong Kong Officials Over Rights Crackdown

The United States has announced new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials responsible for the intensifying crackdown on rights and freedoms in the Chinese-ruled territory. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that in the past year, China continued to take action against Hong Kong’s promised high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions, and rights and freedoms, including with the recent enactment of the controversial Article 23 national security law.

Targeting Officials Involved in National Security Cases

While the statement did not identify the specific officials targeted, a Hong Kong Sanctions Act introduced in November named several officials, including Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Police Chief Raymond Siu, and judges involved in national security cases. The US has previously imposed visa restrictions and other sanctions on Hong Kong officials blamed for undermining freedoms, and has warned foreign financial institutions conducting business with them could face sanctions.

Ongoing Crackdown on Civil Society and Dissenting Voices

Blinken’s statement emphasized the ongoing crackdown by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities on civil society, media, and dissenting voices, including through the issuance of bounties and arrest warrants for pro-democracy activists living outside Hong Kong. The US Hong Kong Policy Act requires the State Department to report annually to Congress on conditions in Hong Kong, and Blinken certified that Hong Kong does not warrant the same treatment under US laws as before 1997 when it was handed back to China by Britain.

China and Hong Kong Authorities Condemn US Actions

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Office in Hong Kong condemned Blinken’s report and statements, accusing the US of “confusing right and wrong” and “stigmatizing” Hong Kong’s national security law and electoral system. China’s embassy in Washington also strongly deplored and firmly opposed the US threats to impose unilateral sanctions on Hong Kong, stating that the US disregards facts and makes groundless accusations against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments.

Crackdown on Press Freedom and Civil Society

The crackdown on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong has also extended to the media and civil society groups. US-funded Radio Free Asia recently closed its Hong Kong bureau, citing concerns over staff safety after the enactment of the new national security law. Many pro-democracy politicians, activists, and liberal media outlets have been jailed, gone into exile, or shut down in recent years.

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US Ramps Up Pressure on Hong Kong

In response to the crackdown, 145 community and advocacy groups have recently condemned the security law and called for sanctions on officials involved in its passage, as well as a review of the status of Hong Kong’s Economic & Trade Offices worldwide. The US actions are part of a broader effort to pressure China and Hong Kong authorities over the erosion of the “one country, two systems” principle and the curtailment of rights and freedoms in the territory.