Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, and Pro-Mainland China politician has been officially sanctioned by the US government as of Friday, as her role in the brutal democratic suppression of her own people has been officially acknowledged by the Western governments.
According to experts, sanctioning Lam is a significant escalation. Surmised by the very same professionals, the US’ action on significant Hong Kong officials in response to China’s imposition of a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference is set to further derail the two superpower’s relationship.
“The 11 individuals designated today have implemented policies directly aimed at curbing freedom of expression and assembly, and democratic processes, and are subsequently responsible for the degradation of Hong Kong’s autonomy,” the US Treasury Department said in a statement Friday.
Lam came to the defense of the controversial law as a “crucial step to ending chaos and violence that has occurred over the past few months. It’s a law that has been introduced to keep Hong Kong safe,” she said in July. The Treasury Department cited her as being “directly responsible for 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 Treasury Department said.
“Lam is designated for being involved in developing, adopting, or implementing the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (National Security Law).
” Authorities in Hong Kong said Saturday they would consider counter measures in response.
Edward Yau, the city’s secretary for commerce and economic development, decried the State Department’s actions as being “unreasonable and barbarous” moves that will hurt US interests in Hong Kong.
“I do not find any valid reason for this blatant interference of Hong Kong affairs by a foreign country. I do not think this is necessary or in a civilized manner to do so,” Yau said in a media interview right after the decision was made, “It will definitely hurt the Hong Kong-US relations.
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The measures of these natures will apply to “all property and interests in property of the individuals … and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.
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Replaced!