US Congress Also Passes 'Uyghur Human Rights Act' Targeting China
China to Vote on Security Law Today... Tensions Escalate
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Beijing=Correspondent Park Sun-mi] U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a direct blow ahead of China's enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law), stating that "Hong Kong is not enjoying a high degree of autonomy." The possibility that the U.S. will revoke Hong Kong's special status granted under related laws has increased even further. China plans to push forward with the Hong Kong Security Law before the closing of the National People's Congress (NPC) on the 28th, escalating the confrontation between the U.S. and China to its peak.
On the 27th (local time), Secretary Pompeo said in a press release, "No reasonable person can claim today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China." The initial congressional report was scheduled for earlier this month but was postponed to observe China's moves. However, as China decided to proceed with the enactment of the Hong Kong Security Law, the U.S. took swift action.
Secretary Pompeo described the forced enactment of the Hong Kong Security Law as a "disastrous decision." He explained, "(The Hong Kong Security Law) is part of measures fundamentally undermining Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms," adding, "Contrary to the U.S. expectation that Hong Kong's free and prosperous model would lead authoritarian China, China is instead dragging Hong Kong along." He further stated that the U.S. has no choice but to change its assessment of Hong Kong.
He also hinted at the possibility of the U.S. revoking Hong Kong's special status. Secretary Pompeo said, "While this decision is not welcome, recognizing reality is necessary for sound policy decisions." Since 1992, through the Hong Kong Policy Act, the U.S. has granted Hong Kong special treatment in trade, tariffs, investment, and more based on the "one country, two systems" principle even after Britain returned Hong Kong's sovereignty to China in 1997. U.S. media outlets such as The Washington Post (WP) evaluated Pompeo's announcement as "a measure that could have a significant impact on Hong Kong's special status."
The U.S. Congress also joined the pressure against China. On the same day, the House passed the 'Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act' with an overwhelming vote of 413 in favor and 1 against.
China will vote on the draft of the Hong Kong Security Law at the closing meeting held at 3 p.m. at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
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