WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party called for sanctions on 28 members of Hong Kong’s government. These officials are accused of contributing to human rights abuses and persecuting pro-democracy protestors amid the Chinese Communist Party's takeover of Hong Kong.
Congressional-Executive Commission on China Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Co-Chair Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) also supported the call for sanctions.
In their letter, the lawmakers stated, “We write to express our profound concern over the recent actions by Hong Kong authorities that have further eroded democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in the region. Specifically, we refer to the passage of the ‘Safeguarding National Security Ordinance’ (Hong Kong’s local version of the National Security Law, or ‘Article 23 legislation’) in March 2024 and the conviction of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists (Hong Kong 47) charged under the National Security Law on May 29th, 2024. These actions by Hong Kong authorities represent a significant escalation in their efforts to dismantle Hong Kong’s autonomy and stifle dissent at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP).”
They continued, “We acknowledge the State Department’s response to these convictions with the announcement of visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials. However, such a measure alone is not adequate. The U.S. government must enforce the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (Pub. L. 116-76), the Hong Kong Autonomy Act (Pub. L.116-149), and Executive Order 13936 that hold individuals accountable for eroding Hong Kong’s rule of law, democracy, and abusing human rights.”
The lawmakers urged Secretary Blinken and Secretary Yellen to consider sanctions on several Hong Kong officials:
Secretary of Justice: Paul Lam Ting-kwok
Director of Office for Safeguarding National Security: Dong Jingwei
Secretary General of Committee for Safeguarding National Security: Sonny Au Chi-kwong
Commissioner of Police Force: Raymond Siu Chak-yee
Assistant Commissioner of Police: Margaret Chiu Wing-lan
Assistant Commissioner for National Security: Dick Wong Chung-chun
Senior Superintendent Bruce Hung Ngan
Prosecutors Maggie Yang Mei-kei, Anthony Chau Tin-hang, Laura Ng Shuk-kuen, Karen Ng Ka-yuet, Jonathan Man Tak-ho, William Siu Kai-yip, Ivan Cheung Cheuk-kan, Vincent Lee Ting-wai, Memi Ng.
Judges Esther Toh Lye-ping; Stanley Chan Kwong-chi; Kwok Wai-kin; Johnny Chan Jong-herng; Alex Lee Wan-tang; Amanda Jane Woodcock; Victor So Wai-tak; Peter Law Tak-chuen; Amy Chan Wai-mun; Cheng Lim-chi; Andrew Cheung Kui-nung.
The lawmakers reiterated their call for decisive action from U.S. authorities to strengthen policy tools supporting Hong Kong's autonomy and citizens' rights.
