U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Hong Kong Officials Over Human Rights Violations Amid China’s Crackdown on Pro-Democracy Movement
WASHINGTON – The United States imposed sanctions on Hong Kong’s police chief, justice secretary, and other officials on Monday, citing human rights concerns following China’s crackdown in the financial hub. Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee and Justice Secretary Paul Lam are among those targeted. The sanctions block any U.S. assets held by the officials and criminalize financial transactions with them.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the sanctions “demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to hold to account those responsible for depriving people in Hong Kong of protected rights and freedoms.” The measures also address acts of transnational repression against U.S. citizens and residents.
Hong Kong’s government condemned the sanctions, labeling them “an attempt to intimidate” officials safeguarding national security, and accused the U.S. of “barbarity under its hegemony.” China’s foreign ministry commissioner’s office in Hong Kong called the sanctions “unreasonable” and pledged “effective measures for resolute retaliation.” Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee is already under U.S. sanctions.
The sanctions are in line with a U.S. law supporting Hong Kong democracy. The State Department highlighted the officials’ roles in efforts to “intimidate, silence and harass 19 pro-democracy activists” who fled overseas, including one U.S. citizen and four U.S. residents.
In a separate move, Rubio announced visa restrictions on unspecified Chinese officials due to restricted access to Tibet for U.S. diplomats and journalists. This follows earlier U.S. sanctions on Thai officials over the deportation of Uyghur minorities to China.
The actions follow China’s imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong after widespread pro-democracy protests in 2019, which Beijing views as necessary to restore order.
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