US Security Law Sanctions in Hong Kong

The democracy movement in Hong Kong is under enormous pressure.

Ever since the Chinese security law was passed a year ago, the repression has become more and more severe.

The US wants to help with sanctions.

Washington - The US government has pledged support for the pro-democratic opposition in Hong Kong and sanctions seven Chinese government officials.

They are deputy directors of the Chinese government's liaison office in Hong Kong, the US State Department announced on Friday.

The basis is an order of the then US President Donald Trump from last year, which provides for sanctions, among other things, against people who implement the controversial Chinese security law in Hong Kong.

Any property owned by those affected in the United States will be frozen.

At the same time, the US government warned companies that doing business in Hong Kong was fraught with increasing risk.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Friday, with a view to the passage of the security law over a year ago, that government officials from China and Hong Kong have systematically undermined democratic institutions since then.

Thousands of people were arrested when pro-democracy protests began in Hong Kong in 2019.

The Hong Kong authorities had started a political campaign against the free press.

"Today we are sending a clear message that the United States is resolutely on the side of the Hong Kong people."

The security law targets activities that Beijing sees as subversive, separatist, terrorist, or conspiratorial.

The authorities are increasingly taking action against the democracy movement in the former British crown colony.

dpa