Two dozen officials who “deny Hong Kongers a voice in their own governance” were handed down financial sanctions on Wednesday from U.S. authorities ahead of China-backed electoral reforms in the city.
The move targets those who, in the eyes of America's top diplomat, “have reduced Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy,” American secretary of state Anthony Blinken said in a statement.
"The United States stands united with our allies and partners in speaking out for the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong, and we will respond when the PRC fails to meet its obligations," he said.
At the same time, Blinken revised the Hong Kong Autonomy Act passed by congress in 2020 to highlight growing concern about changes to the city’s legislative council, which includes the expansion of the chief executive selection committee to incorporate 300 mainland CCP loyalists.
In addition, elected officials in Hong Kong must now be sworn “patriots” dedicated to China’s vision for the city.
This is in clear violation of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, according to Blinken, but the rhetoric has not deterred Chinese authorities from moving forward with their plans.
“The new selection methods of the chief executive and Legislative Council should be stipulated as soon as possible,” Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the state council’s Hong Kong and Macau affairs office, said on Wednesday after a series of consultations with local business and political figures.
The matter will likely be a topic of discussion at high-level talks later this week in Anchorage, Alaska, between Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, and Chinese representatives Yang Jiechi and Wang Yi.
In total, 34 Chinese and Hong Kong-based officials - including Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam - are the subject of American financial sanctions that prevent financial institutions from serving them.
Lam has spoken openly in the past about the “piles of money” she receives in compensation every month instead of a bank deposit as a consequence of the restrictions.
“Foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct significant transactions with the individuals listed in today’s report are now subject to sanctions,” Blinken said Wednesday.
