U.S. sanctions Chinese officials for suppressing democracy in Hong Kong Reuters

Authors: Michael Martina and David Brunnstrom

Washington (Reuters)-The United States imposed sanctions on seven Chinese officials on Friday for Beijing’s suppression of democracy in Hong Kong. This is Washington’s latest move to hold China responsible for the erosion of the rule of law in its former British colony.

The sanctions issued by the U.S. Treasury Department target individuals in the Hong Kong Liaison Office, and Beijing uses these individuals to plan its policies on Chinese territory.

According to online resumes, the seven new people on the list of the Ministry of Finance’s “Specially Designated Nationals” are Chen Dong, He Jing, Lu Xinning, Qiu Hong, Tan Tierui, Yang Jianping, and Yin Zonghua, deputy directors of the Liaison Office.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Chinese officials in the past year “systematically undermined” Hong Kong’s democratic institutions, delayed elections, cancelled election legislators selected from the office, and arrested thousands for disagreeing with government policies.

“In the face of Beijing’s decision to stifle the democratic aspirations of the Hong Kong people in the past year, we are taking action. Today we send a clear message that the United States is determined to stand with Hong Kong people,” Brinken said in a statement. .

The Treasury Department referred to a separately updated business advisory jointly issued with the State Council, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Homeland Security, which emphasized the US government’s concerns about the impact of Hong Kong’s national security laws on international companies.

Critics say Beijing implemented the law last year to promote the suppression of democracy activists and freedom of the press.

The announcement stated that the company faces risks associated with unauthorized electronic surveillance and the handover of company and customer data to the authorities, adding that individuals and businesses should be aware of the potential consequences of contact with sanctioned individuals or entities.

These actions were announced more than a year after former President Donald Trump ordered the termination of Hong Kong’s special status under US law to punish China’s “oppressive behavior” of Hong Kong.

The United States has imposed sanctions on other senior officials, including Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and senior police officers, because of their role in restricting Hong Kong’s political freedom.

Breach of promise

President Joe Biden said at a press conference on Thursday that since Hong Kong returned to Chinese control in 1997, the Chinese government has violated its commitments on how to deal with the Hong Kong issue.

China promised universal suffrage as the ultimate goal of Hong Kong in its small constitution, the Basic Law. The constitution also stipulates that Hong Kong has extensive autonomy different from Beijing.

Since China implemented the National Security Law and criminalized it as subversion, separatism, terrorism, or collusion with foreign forces, most democratic activists and politicians have found themselves trapped by the law or for other reasons. catch.

Apple (NASDAQ:) Daily, Hong Kong’s most outspoken democratic newspaper, was forced to end its 26-year operation in June during the crackdown on freezing company funds.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated at a regular press conference in Beijing before the official announcement of the action that the United States should stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, and China will make a “resolute and forceful response.”

A source told Reuters on Thursday that the White House is also reviewing a possible executive order to facilitate immigration from Hong Kong, but it is still uncertain whether it will be implemented.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman plans to visit Japan, South Korea and Mongolia next week. The State Council announced that her visit did not mention any stay in China, which has been anticipated in the foreign policy community and reported in some media.

A senior U.S. State Department official told reporters on Friday that Washington is still negotiating with Beijing on whether Sherman will visit China.

The US government also stepped up its warning to companies on Tuesday that the risk of establishing supply chains and investment links with China’s Xinjiang region is increasing on the grounds that there are forced labor and human rights violations, which Beijing denies.

Anna Ashton, Vice President of Government Affairs of the US-China Business Council, said of the consultation: “We hope that any additional actions by the United States related to Hong Kong will still be targeted and Washington will avoid targeting the people of Hong Kong. The unfavorable policy options will be released on Friday.