Instant international
Written by: Chen Bowu
2019-11-20 08:48
Last updated: 2019-11-20 09:10The US Senate passed the Hong Kong Bill of Rights and Democracy on the evening of the 19th. What is the content of this bill and what will it affect? Many people have noticed that the bill will require the United States to regularly review the degree of autonomy in Hong Kong and have the opportunity to influence Hong Kong's special status different from that of mainland China. This option can greatly undermine Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, but it also hurts Hong Kong. American companies can be described as a double-edged blade.
There are two main points for the focus of China and Hong Kong:
(1) Regularly review the US-Hong Kong Policy Act. The bill requires the US administration to assess the Hong Kong government's "self-determination" in safeguarding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. If the government is found to be in violation of human rights, freedom, and autonomy, it can cancel the "Hong Kong Policy Act." Hong Kong is different from China's "special status."
(2) Imposing sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials or entities. The bill will impose "informed responsibility" on threats such as the transfer of threats, arbitrary detention and torture, repeated violations of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, damage to the interests of the United States in Hong Kong, and other serious violations of international human rights. Enforcement of sanctions, including denial of visas, freezing of property and accountability.
Riot police outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Reuters)
Cancellation of Hong Kong's special status is double-sided
The outside world is concerned about the option to abolish Hong Kong's special status. Once the government implements it, Hong Kong will lose its status as an independent customs territory, seriously affecting Hong Kong's foundation as an international financial and commercial center.
Although the abolition of Hong Kong's special status will hit the Hong Kong government, it will also affect many US companies that have invested in Hong Kong or in Hong Kong. In addition, the United States needs to conduct a hearing when making relevant decisions. This may be a decision that may harm the interests of the United States and the United States. It is difficult to get a parliamentary pass. Therefore, the opportunity for Washington to sacrifice the "double-sided" of the special status of Hong Kong may not be high.
Demonstrators and police broke out at the main entrance of the Polytechnic University (Reuters)
Sanction officer
After the passage of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights and Democracy, the United States can impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials or entities on the grounds of human rights and other reasons. The analysis believes that this measure can prohibit the relevant people from entering and leaving the United States and freezing their assets. It can also restrict some business entities from doing business with the United States and making substantial threats to them. In addition, this measure is highly targeted and will not be widely used. Affecting the interests of the US economy and the overall situation of the two countries can also show that the United States has "made a difference" in the Hong Kong issue. Therefore, it is believed that the US is more inclined to adopt it.
At present, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights on Human Rights and Democracy has been unanimously approved by the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In addition, it has successfully passed the Senate, but it still has to wait for the two houses to integrate the version of the bill before handing it over to Trump to decide whether to sign it.
[News Classroom] What is the next step in the Hong Kong Bill of Rights in the US Senate?
McConnell seeks to pass the "Bill of Rights" 冀 Trump to support Hong Kong people's struggle
[News Classroom] What are the characteristics of the "Spicy Edition" of the United States and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights and Democracy?
Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Bill Human Rights United States
