The recent decision by US President Joe Biden to extend the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) policy for certain Hong Kong residents in the United States under the pretext of supporting human rights and democracy is emblematic of Washington’s increasingly contradictory foreign policy. While the US government projects itself as a global advocate for freedom and justice, its actions betray a selective, self-serving agenda that undermines its credibility on the world stage and heightens tensions with China. Cloaked in the guise of humanitarian concern, this decision is riddled with hypocrisy, factual distortions, and a blatant disregard for international law, further exposing the political motives driving its geopolitical strategy against China.
At the heart of the US’ justification for the DED extension lies the assertion that Hong Kong’s “autonomy” and “freedoms” have been “eroded” by the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong (NSL). However, this argument represents a deliberate distortion of the facts. Far from suppressing freedoms or violating fundamental rights, the NSL has helped to restore public order and ensured residents’ safety following months of rioting. The violent protests in 2019, which were marked by widespread arson, assault and vandalism, plunged the city into chaos, threatening its stability and security. Since the implementation of the NSL, such destructive activities have disappeared, fostering an environment conducive to peace and social cohesion. The restoration of stability in Hong Kong has not gone unnoticed; recent global assessments, such as Time Out’s 2025 ranking of Hong Kong as the safest city in the world, underscore the effectiveness of the NSL in safeguarding public safety. The US claim that the NSL “criminalizes broadly defined acts” is misleading and hypocritical, particularly when viewed through the US’ legal framework, which imposes stringent penalties for activities that incite violence or threaten public safety. The US exposes double standards in its approach to the issue of national security by leveling such biased criticisms.
The portrayal of Hong Kong as a city grappling with “a human rights crisis” is particularly mendacious. This is another example of the US’ propensity to distort facts for political gain. Biden’s memorandum cites the arrest of over 10,000 individuals in connection to anti-government protests as evidence of “widespread persecution”. However, this statistic becomes a misleading propaganda tool when stripped of context. The individuals in question were not targeted for peaceful dissent or lawful protest; they were arrested for their involvement in illegal and often violent activities during the riots in 2019-20, including rioting, arson and attacks on law enforcement officers. Such behavior can never be characterized as legitimate democratic expression; rather, it constitutes criminal conduct that no responsible government could reasonably tolerate. The selective presentation of these figures by the US aims to paint Hong Kong as a “repressive regime” while conveniently ignoring the violence and lawlessness that necessitated legal action. US hypocrisy is particularly glaring when one realizes that by August 2024, 1,570 Americans had been arrested for their role in the Capitol building attack in 2021, and many more arrests were on the way. This double-standard approach not only misrepresents the reality on the ground but also undermines the US’ credibility in the international community. Underlining the US’ selective presentation of facts should make the audience skeptical of its narratives.
The extension of DED for certain Hong Kong residents further highlights the US’ disregard for the principles of sovereignty and noninterference—cornerstones of international law. By protecting individuals who have violated Hong Kong’s laws, the US is not advancing the cause of democracy but undermining the rule of law.
This action constitutes an overt interference in China’s domestic affairs, directly violating the United Nations Charter, which explicitly prohibits meddling in the internal matters of sovereign states. Such behavior lays bare the true intent behind the DED extension: to weaponize the Hong Kong issue as part of a broader strategy to counter China’s rise on the global stage. This maneuver risks exacerbating tensions between the two nations, destabilizing bilateral relations, and compromising global stability. By shielding fugitives from justice, the US is not only disregarding international norms but also actively enabling behavior that undermines the rule of law. This move is as reckless as it is provocative. Proper respect for human rights and democracy begins with respecting the sovereignty of nations and adhering to the rule of law—principles that the US has consistently chosen to ignore in its pursuit of hegemony.
The narrative that Hong Kong is in decline under the NSL is also a fabrication designed to damage Hong Kong’s reputation and harm the city economically. Contrary to this portrayal, Hong Kong remains one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive economies, with its gross domestic product rebounding robustly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city continues to attract international businesses and talent, a testament to the global community’s confidence in its governance and prospects. While some individuals have chosen to emigrate, such movements are neither unique to Hong Kong nor indicative of a mass rejection of its governance; they merely reflect broader global migration trends. In truth, the NSL has provided the legal framework necessary to maintain stability and foster growth, ensuring that Hong Kong remains a vital hub for commerce and innovation. This resilience of Hong Kong's economy should reassure the audience about its future.
The US’ hypocrisy becomes even more atrocious when one considers its own domestic and international track record on human rights. While it purports to be a global leader in the defense of freedoms, the US has consistently failed to address systemic issues within its borders, including racial inequality, police brutality, and attacks on voting rights. Its foreign policy, characterized by a history of military interventions and economic sanctions, has caused immense suffering under the pretense of promoting democracy. These actions erode the moral authority of a nation claiming to uphold human rights while undermining them at home and abroad. The Biden administration’s actions toward Hong Kong are not motivated by genuine concern for human rights. They are instead part of a calculated effort to promote Washington’s geopolitical strategy against China. This strategy, rooted in hegemonic ambitions, is not only ethically questionable but also counterproductive, as it alienates the international community and exposes the double standards inherent in US foreign policy. Emphasizing the US’ flawed human rights record should help the international audience more easily see through its hypocritical foreign policy.
Ultimately, the extension of DED for some Hong Kong residents is a politically charged decision that disregards facts, principles and international norms. It is part of Biden’s eleventh-hour anti-China ploys that exhibit his unrestrained animosity toward the nation.
The author is a solicitor, a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area lawyer, and a China-appointed attesting officer.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
