Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, has dismissed the “sanctions” imposed by the United States targeting himself and five other Chinese mainland and Hong Kong officials, calling the measures “completely ineffective” and a violation of international law.
On Monday local time, the US government announced sanctions on six Chinese officials, groundlessly alleging they have been using national security laws to undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy.
The other sanctioned officials are Dong Jingwei, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Raymond Siu Chak-yee, commissioner of police; Sonny Au Chi-kwong, secretary-general of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in HKSAR; and two assistant police commissioners in charge of national security affairs — Dick Wong Chung-chun and Margaret Chiu Wing-lan.
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The move has brought the number of HKSAR officials sanctioned by the US in the past five years to a total of 17, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.
In response to media inquiries, Lam said the “sanctions” have no impact on his work or personal life, and condemned them as “unjustified”.
He defended Hong Kong’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, saying its implementation not only fulfills the city’s constitutional duty but also complies with international law standards.
Lam also criticized the US government’s unilateral sanctions, saying they are aimed at intimidating people who are safeguarding national security, and are blatantly in breach of the basic principles of international relations, representing nothing more than hegemonic bullying.
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The best response to such measures is to remain resolute and united in the face of the threats and remain determined to safeguard national security and interests, as well as Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, Lam said.
The city’s second largest party in the Legislative Council, the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA), also expressed its strong condemnation of the sanctions in a statement issued on Tuesday, urging the US government to cease interfering in China’s internal affairs.
The party said that, by imposing the sanctions, the US has disregarded Hong Kong’s internationally recognized judicial independence. The fact is objectively obvious, the party said, that the Hong Kong national security law has restored social stability and provided a more secure business environment for global investors, including American firms.
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The BPA added that Hong Kong’s independent judicial system, operating under the Basic Law, is evidence-based and widely recognized, while the US “sanctions” violate international law and undermine Hong Kong’s legitimate efforts to uphold national security, representing gross interference in the nation’s sovereignty.
The party has called on Hong Kong’s business sector and society to remain united, support the government in upholding the rule of law and national security, and work together to maintain long-term prosperity and stability for the city’s economic and social well-being.
