Additional Sanctions on 24 Chinese and Hong Kong Officials over Hong Kong Election System Reform
Continued Pressure on China Ahead of Talks...Hong Kong Emphasizes Tibet Human Rights
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken recently announced additional sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials involved in the overhaul of Hong Kong's election system, which was passed at the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, stating that Hong Kong's autonomy has been severely undermined. This is interpreted as a preemptive sanction ahead of high-level talks with Chinese Foreign Ministry officials in Alaska.
According to foreign media including CNN, on the 17th (local time), Secretary Blinken released the latest version of the "Hong Kong Autonomy Act Report" and added 24 Chinese and Hong Kong officials to the list of sanctioned individuals for their role in reducing Hong Kong's autonomy. Blinken expressed "deep concern over the unilateral damage to Hong Kong's election system through China's NPC on the 11th," emphasizing that "foreign financial institutions engaging in significant transactions with these individuals will be subject to sanctions."
Earlier, on the 11th, the Chinese government passed the draft resolution on "Improvement of Hong Kong's Election System" at the NPC with 2,895 votes in favor and 1 abstention. This legislation is analyzed as aiming to strengthen Beijing's control by eradicating pro-democracy forces opposing China within Hong Kong's Legislative Council.
This additional sanction announcement is particularly seen as a preemptive move to seize the initiative ahead of Secretary Blinken's upcoming talks with senior Chinese officials in Alaska. On the same day, during a prior meeting with Japanese diplomatic officials, Blinken expressed concerns about "threats to Hong Kong's autonomy, the weakening of Taiwan's democracy, human rights abuses in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Tibet, and China's unilateral territorial claims in the South China Sea," putting pressure on China.
The Chinese government has been cautious about recent U.S. pressure on China, including high-level talks between U.S. and Japanese officials. At a press conference the previous day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated, "Exchanges between the U.S. and Japan should help enhance mutual understanding and trust among regional countries and must not target or undermine the interests of third parties."
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