Due to the government’s assault on rights and freedoms in the region, the United States stated on Friday that it will be imposing further visa restrictions on a number of Hong Kong officials.
According to Reuters, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has previously declared that China has been pursuing the autonomy, democratic institutions, and rights that Hong Kong was promised. This includes the recent adoption of a new national security statute known as Article 23.
“In response, the Department of State is announcing that it is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials responsible for the intensifying crackdown on rights and freedoms,” Blinken stated.
The statement did not specify which officials would be targeted.
In November, Hong Kong criticised a US bill imposing sanctions on 49 officials, judges, and prosecutors involved in national security cases, accusing the lawmakers of grand-standing and intimidation.
Officials named in that Hong Kong Sanctions Act included Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Police chief Raymond Siu and judges Andrew Cheung, Andrew Chan, Johnny Chan, Alex Lee, Esther Toh and Amanda Woodcock.
The United States has imposed visa restrictions and other sanctions in the past on Hong Kong officials blamed for undermining freedoms and announced an end to the special economic treatment the territory long enjoyed under US law.
Additionally, it has issued a warning that international financial institutions doing business with them might face penalties.
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