WASHINGTON: The United States announced on Friday its intention to impose new visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials responsible for suppressing rights in the city, following the enactment of a new national security law.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Beijing’s actions have eroded Hong Kong’s promised autonomy, democratic institutions, and rights over the past year. This erosion includes the recent implementation of “Article 23,” a national security law targeting various crimes such as treason and espionage.
In response to the escalating repression and restrictions on civil society and media, the State Department will impose visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials, Blinken announced.
The specifics of the visa measures and the officials to be targeted were not disclosed in Blinken’s statement. The announcement follows Washington’s annual review of Hong Kong’s autonomy, leading to a determination that Hong Kong no longer warrants special treatment under US laws.
Previously, the US had imposed visa restrictions and sanctions on Hong Kong officials accused of undermining the city’s rights and freedoms. The revocation of Hong Kong’s special trade status in 2020 was also a response to the suppression of pro-democracy protests.
In response to the US report, the Hong Kong government criticized the sanctions and visa restrictions as politically motivated. They affirmed the city’s autonomy and argued that the new security law protects fundamental rights.
China’s foreign ministry representative in Hong Kong condemned Washington’s move, calling it interference in China’s internal affairs.
Beijing had imposed a national security law in 2020 to quell protests, and Article 23, effective recently, is an additional security law.
Separately, Radio Free Asia closed its Hong Kong office due to safety concerns following the new law’s enactment.
