The United States Congress advisory body, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (UCESRC), recently assessed in its annual report that "the transition of Hong Kong from an international city to a Chinese city has been completed." This report was published one day before the summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco.
On the 14th (local time), the commission stated, "This year, the Chinese Communist Party regime continued its systematic and ruthless destruction of Hong Kong's once vibrant civil society, completing the transition of Hong Kong from an international city to a Chinese city," and pointed out that "the Chinese central government has appointed loyal judges and leaders to interpret the National Security Law in the strictest manner."
The commission said, "Due to China's authoritarian excessive influence, more Hong Kong residents are leaving," and "those who decide to remain in Hong Kong must choose whether to self-censor or risk political legal actions." It added, "As mainland Chinese human capital and investment increasingly dominate Hong Kong's business environment, it solidifies its status as a Chinese city rather than an international city," and "Hong Kong has become a transshipment hub for diverting U.S. technology to Russia, and Hong Kong-based companies are reported to have participated in supporting China's technology supply chain for Russia."
It continued, "The degree of Hong Kong's judicial regression can be seen in cases such as Jimmy Lai and 47 members of the pro-democracy camp," emphasizing, "These are clear examples of the complete erosion of Hong Kong citizens' freedoms and will serve as definitive cases demonstrating the enforcement of China's National Security Law in Hong Kong going forward." The commission also noted, "Similarly, Hong Kong's faith-based communities, labor unions, and the press face increasing repression, coercion, and restricted participation in civil society." Jimmy Lai is the owner of the anti-China media outlet Apple Daily. Jimmy Lai was charged under the Hong Kong National Security Law with collusion with foreign forces, and the 47 pro-democracy camp members were each prosecuted for subversion of state power related to the opposition's July 2020 Legislative Council (parliament) primary elections.
On the 16th, the Hong Kong government issued a statement firmly opposing "(the report's) content filled with untrue remarks and slander," and urged "U.S. politicians to stop interfering in China's internal affairs." Additionally, the Hong Kong government added, "Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China and a local administrative region enjoying a high degree of autonomy under the 'one country, two systems' principle, directly under the Central People's Government."
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