Hong Kong: US Imposes Sanctions on Chief Executive Carrie Lam

• 08.08.2020, 10:51
•  America,  Asia,  World

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam and 10 other top officials from Hong Kong and mainland China, BBC reports.

The sanctions were used to target those undermining Hong Kong's autonomy, said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

"The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong," Mr Mnuchin added.

The move comes weeks after China imposed a controversial national security law on Hong Kong, which critics say threatens its freedoms.

Among those sanctioned are Hong Kong's police commissioner and several political secretaries.

The US Treasury directly accused Ms Lam of "implementing Beijing's policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes".

"In 2019, Lam pushed for an update to Hong Kong's extradition arrangements to allow for extradition to the mainland, setting off a series of massive opposition demonstrations in Hong Kong," the US Treasury added in a statement.

On Saturday, the Hong Kong government branded the move "blatant and barbaric interference in the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China, using Hong Kong as a pawn".

Ms Lam's spokesman said she would not be "intimidated".

"Speaking on behalf of her senior colleagues who are being targeted, the Chief Executive Mrs Carrie Lam said that we are discharging an honourable duty to safeguard national security, protecting the life and interests of not only the 7.5 million Hong Kong people but also the 1.4 billion Mainlanders."

Luo Huining, Beijing's representative in Hong Kong, is among those sanctioned. He said the measures were ridiculous.

Hong Kong Commerce Secretary Edward Yau called the sanctions disproportionate and warned of retaliation against US businesses in the region.

The 11 sanctioned officials will have all property in the US seized and financial assets frozen.

The US has strongly criticised Hong Kong's national security law, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling it an "Orwellian move" and an assault "on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong".

China has defended its controversial law as necessary to stop foreign interference in Hong Kong and the often violent pro-democracy protests that took place last year.

Announcing the sanctions on Friday, Mr Pompeo said: "The Chinese Communist Party has made clear that Hong Kong will never again enjoy the high degree of autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the Hong Kong people and the United Kingdom for 50 years.

"President Trump has made clear that the United States will therefore treat Hong Kong as 'one country, one system' and take action against individuals who have crushed the Hong Kong people's freedoms."

Ms Lam has previously scoffed at the suggestion of sanctions, saying last month: "I do not have any assets in the United States nor do I long for moving to the United States."

The latest sanctions were authorised by an executive order Mr Trump signed in July aimed at punished China for its role in Hong Kong's affairs.