US lawmakers introduce bill to stop tear gas sales to Hong Kong

US congressional representatives announced legislation on Tuesday calling for a ban on sales of riot control equipment to Hong Kong law enforcement services, as unrest in the city entered its fourth month.

If passed, the bill would prohibit US companies from exporting so-called non-lethal crowd control items like tear gas, as well as defence articles and services, to Hong Kong, where the local police force is facing growing criticism of its response to protests.

Since mass demonstrations began in June over a proposed extradition bill, violent clashes involving police, protesters and counterprotesters have hospitalised dozens of people. After last week’s announcement that the bill was to be officially withdrawn, the protesters’ remaining four demands include an independent inquiry into the use of police force – a call that city leaders continue to reject.

Titled the PROTECT Hong Kong Act, Tuesday’s bill is sponsored by Representatives James McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts, Christopher Smith, Republican of New Jersey, and Ro Khanna, Democrat of California. The ban would take effect 30 days after the legislation’s enactment.

As well as barring defence-related sales to Hong Kong, the new law would also require the Secretary of State to issue a report to Congress detailing all the defence articles and munition items that had been exported to the city over the five years leading up to the bill’s date of enactment.