Asset Freezes and Other Measures in the US
Comprehensive Sanctions on Hong Kong Security Law Implementers
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on 11 Hong Kong and Chinese officials, including Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
On the 7th (local time), Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stated in a press release that Lam and others undermined Hong Kong's autonomy and violated the freedom of assembly and expression of Hong Kong citizens.
The sanctions target includes Chief Executive Lam, Hong Kong Police Commissioner Chris Tang, Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng, among others. Mainland Chinese officials such as Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Deputy Director Zhang Xiaoming, and Luo Huining, Director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, were also sanctioned.
The Treasury emphasized that Lam supervised and implemented Beijing's policies suppressing freedom and democratic processes, explaining the reason for the sanctions.
The Treasury explained that under this measure, the assets of the sanctioned individuals within the United States will be controlled by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Regarding this, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement, "The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong and will use our tools and authorities to target those who undermine autonomy."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also asserted, "The Chinese Communist Party has made it clear that Hong Kong people will never again enjoy the high degree of autonomy promised to them and to the United Kingdom."
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