Outgoing Trump administration sanctions 14 Chinese officials over Hong Kong
Iran Press TV
Monday, 07 December 2020 5:26 PM
The administration of outgoing US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on a number of Chinese officials for what Washington claims to be their role in Beijing's disqualification of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the announcement on Monday, where he said the individuals were targeted for "developing, adopting, or implementing" Beijing's National Security Law, which is part of the measures aimed at restoring calm to the semi-autonomous city after months of fierce anti-government protests last year.
The National Security Law would "guard against, stop and punish any separatism, subversion of the national regime, terrorist group activities and such behaviors that seriously harm national security."
The US sanctions target 14 vice-chairpersons of China's parliament, or National People's Congress, describing them as Specially Designated Nationals, who would not be allowed to travel to the United States.
The sanctions also target their assets in the United States and bars Americans from interacting with the individuals and their assets.
Last month, Hong Kong disqualified four opposition lawmakers after the Chinese parliament adopted a resolution authorizing the city to expel legislators deemed dangerous to national security.
Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, Kwok Ka-ki, Kenneth Leung, and Dennis Kwok were disqualified from continuing in their capacity as city legislators, shortly after China's parliament had allowed authorities to unseat those lawmakers who seek secession or invite foreign interference.
"Beijing's unrelenting assault against Hong Kong's democratic processes has gutted its Legislative Council, rendering the body a rubber stamp devoid of meaningful opposition," Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.
"Our actions today underscore that the United States will continue to work with our allies and partners to hold Beijing accountable for undermining Hong Kong's promised autonomy. The United States again urges Beijing to abide by its international commitments and to heed the voices of many countries, which have condemned its actions."
China has previously lambasted the United States for its "interference" in the domestic affairs of Hong Kong, China's global financial hub city.
On Monday, China's senior diplomat Wang Yi said he hoped and believed that US policy towards China could finally "return to objectivity and rationality".
"China and the US can totally cooperate on areas such as managing the pandemic, economy recovery and climate change," Wang told a group of business leaders from US firms.
Wang also called for both the US and China to resume dialogues at all levels, saying it is up to Washington to "make the correct decision" on future relations.
The US has intensified its rhetoric and measures against China in the midst of President Donald Trump's dispute with the projected winner of the 2020 US election, Joe Biden.
Trump has said he was initiating a process to eliminate special economic treatment that has allowed Hong Kong to remain a global financial center.
In June last year, unprecedented anti-government protests began in Hong Kong over a proposed extradition bill. It was shelved under pressure from rallies later on, but the turbulent demonstrations continued the next several months and became more violent, endangering the lives and property of citizens.
The protesters have been demanding Hong Kong's full secession since then. Beijing says the US and Britain have been fanning the flames of the unrest in the semi-autonomous hub by supporting the separatist protesters.
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