US sanctions 6 Beijing, Hong Kong authorities for ‘undermining’ region’s autonomy

The State Department has taken action against six Beijing and Hong Kong authorities for their involvement in actions that have undermined the autonomy of Hong Kong, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The sanctions were imposed on individuals who have been linked to transnational repression targeting individuals residing in the United States.

Rubio emphasized that the Trump Administration remains committed to holding those responsible for violating the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. Among those sanctioned were Sonny Chi Kwong Au, the Secretary-General for the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong, and Raymond Chak Yee Siu, the Police Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Force. The other four individuals targeted were Dong Jingwei, Dick Chung Chun Wong, Margaret Wing Lan Chiu, and Paul Ting Kwok Lam.

The State Department stated that Beijing and Hong Kong officials have used national security laws to intimidate, silence, and harass pro-democracy activists who were forced to flee overseas, including U.S. citizens and residents. The actions taken by these authorities have been met with condemnation from human rights organizations, with Human Rights Watch noting that the national security laws in Hong Kong have led to heavy prison sentences for peaceful speech and civil society activism.

In response to the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the sanctioned individuals located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons have been blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, any individuals or entities with ownership stakes of 50 percent or more in businesses linked to the sanctioned persons are also subject to the sanctions.

Transactions involving the sanctioned individuals are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC, including the provision of funds, goods, or services to or from the blocked persons. The State Department emphasized that these measures are necessary to ensure accountability for those who violate the rights of individuals in Hong Kong and engage in acts of transnational repression on U.S. soil.

These sanctions underscore the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Chinese authorities over the situation in Hong Kong, as well as the broader issue of human rights and freedom of expression. The actions taken by the State Department are a clear signal that the U.S. will not tolerate violations of fundamental rights and will hold those responsible to account.