Hong Kong slams US politicians’ ‘despicable’ call for sanctions on city officials
- Letter from politicians urges US to ‘hold individuals accountable for eroding Hong Kong’s rule of law and democracy, and abusing human rights’
Hong Kong has strongly criticised a call by US politicians for sanctions against city officials over passing the domestic national security law and the conviction of more than 40 opposition figures of subversion for their roles in a 2020 unofficial legislative “primary” election.
A government spokesman said on Thursday night the “sanctions” mentioned in the politicians’ letter “smacked of despicable political manipulation” aimed at intimidating officials safeguarding national security.
He added that the move “grossly interfered” in the internal affairs of the city and country, and violated international law and the basic norms of global relations.
“[Hong Kong] despises such so-called sanctions and is not intimidated by such despicable behaviour. [It] will resolutely continue to discharge the duty of safeguarding national security,” the spokesman said.
The remarks were made a day after the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, calling on them to determine whether the actions of some Hong Kong officials met sanctions criteria.
