Hong Kong condemns US sanctions against six officials over National Security Law

Government of Hong Kong on January 15 lashed out at United States for imposing retaliatory sanctions against six officials over controversial National Security Law. Calling sanctions "insane, shameless and despicable”, Hong Kong government told South China Morning Post that it extended full support to Beijing to opt appropriate “countermeasures”. However, US Home Treasury said in a statement that it issued sanctions against Hong Kong under legal framework and executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. 

According to China’s state-run SCMP, Hing Kong accused US of using ‘coercive measures’ and interfering in city’s internal matters and ‘flagrant violation’ of commitments. US list of banned officials from Hong Kong included city's sole delegate to China's top legislative body, Tam Yiu-Chung as a retaliatory measure for arrest of pro-democracy activists by Hong Kong police's national security unit. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-Ngor's ministration berated Trump ministration for using ‘coercive measures’ against Hong Kong, for exercising measures to safeguard national security. 

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PRC’s actions ‘appalling’

" US government has exploited every incident and excuse to make slandering remarks about national security law and attack [People's Republic of China] and [Hong Kong Special ministrative Region] authorities in ir dutiful, faithful and lawful implementation of law," spokesman for Lam’s ministration said. "We cant help but suspect that national security law has touched a nerve with foreign or external forces,” ANI quoted spokesman as saying. This comes as US secretary of state Mike Pompeo condemned political crackdown in Hong Kong, calling PRC’s actions ‘appalling’.

 “We condemn [People's Republic of China's] actions that erode Hong Kong's freedoms and democratic processes and will continue to use all tools at our disposal to hold those responsible to account," Pompeo said in a statement. Hong Kong arrested more than 50 pro-democracy activists, including detention of Legislative Council members, an American lawyer, and a former law professor that were later granted bail. Pompeo accused blacklisted officials of having “engd in, or whose members have engd in, developing, opting, or implementing National Security Law."

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