On May 23, 2024, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party held a roundtable in the U.S. Capitol Building titled "The Future of Hong Kong: U.S. Policy Going Forward." Lawmakers and experts discussed the prosecution of pro-democracy activists by the Hong Kong government and its transnational repression on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The implications of the deteriorating rule of law in Hong Kong for the United States and potential responses by the U.S. government were also addressed.
Experts participating in the roundtable included Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy Lai's legal team; Frances Hui from The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation; and Joey Siu, a Hong Kong activist.
Chairman John Moolenaar emphasized why CCP's oppression matters to the United States: “The answer is that the core values of the American people are at stake. When the CCP breaks its word to respect the freedom of Hong Kong through one-country two-systems, it is breaking its word to the entire world.”
Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi added: “We were promised one country, two systems. Instead what we see is one country, one system, one party, one ruler: Xi Jinping. One man has decided that Hong Kong is no longer going to abide by what was promised to the rest of the world.”
Jonathan Price stressed: “A robust rule of law and free media are essential for Hong Kong’s future…Hong Kong can seek to demonstrate these values by releasing Jimmy Lai immediately and that’s what we call upon it to do.”
Frances Hui argued: "Since Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China, the Chinese Communist Party should not have two diplomatic representations in the United States.”
Joey Siu criticized Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices as extensions of CCP influence: “[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices] are extended branches of the CCP…. They are arms of propaganda machine. They are overseas police stations surveilling and spying on Hong Kong activists and American citizens.”
Video highlights from this roundtable session are available for public broadcast distribution upon request via sccpressteam@mail.house.gov.
