The United States has imposed sanctions on six Chinese and Hong Kong officials in response to China’s ongoing suppression of pro-democracy voices in Hong Kong, a financial hub that was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, as per Al Jazeera.
The US Department of State announced the sanctions on Monday, targeting prominent figures accused of playing a role in efforts to “intimidate, silence, and harass” pro-democracy activists.
Those sanctioned include Hong Kong Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam. Former senior official at China’s main civilian intelligence agency, Dong Jingwei; along with senior security and police officials Sonny Au; Dick Wong; and Margaret Chiu were also targeted.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on social media that Beijing had “broken its promises” after pledging to allow Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, “depriving Hong Kongers of freedoms” and engaging in “acts of transnational repression targeting activists on US soil.”
The sanctions will block any interests held by the six individuals in the US and generally criminalize financial transactions with them under US law.
The move marks a rare foray into human rights by the current administration.
Beijing promised a separate system for Hong Kong when Britain handed over the territory in 1997. However, China has since launched major crackdowns on dissent, imposing national security rules after large pro-democracy protests swept the city in 2019.
A recent State Department report highlighted the 2020 National Security Law and the Hong Kong government’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance as tools used to prosecute pro-democracy and media freedom advocates
The report cited the jailing of Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, former chief editors of the now-defunct Stand News, on charges of conspiring to publish seditious publications.
Chinese and Hong Kong authorities maintain that the National Security Law has brought stability to the region since the 2019 protests.
The six sanctioned officials were targeted in line with a US law that champions Hong Kong democracy.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee is already under US sanctions.
