The White House issued a proclamation Wednesday (July 7) saying that President Biden has decided to renew for one year the national emergency declared by President Trump regarding the situation in Hong Kong in light of actions taken by Beijing against Hong Kong that continue to pose a threat to the United States.
In this proclamation, the White House refers to the national emergency declared by the previous president under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act through Executive Order 13936.
On July 14, 2020, against the backdrop of the Chinese government’s imposition of national security laws in Hong Kong, then-President Trump signed into law the Hong Kong Self-Government Act passed by both houses of Congress and issued an executive order the same day holding the Chinese government accountable for its actions to suppress the people of Hong Kong. The executive order found that China’s actions fundamentally undermined Hong Kong’s autonomy and posed an “extraordinary and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security, foreign policy and the economy, and declared a national emergency in response to that threat, suspending or revoking the special and differential treatment accorded to Hong Kong under U.S. law.
In his proclamation, President Biden said, “The situation in Hong Kong, including recent actions by the People’s Republic of China that fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy, continues to pose an extraordinary and exceptional threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. Therefore, the national emergency declared on July 14, 2020, must continue beyond July 14, 2021.”
Biden announced a one-year extension of the national emergency declared by Executive Order 13926 regarding the situation in Hong Kong.
This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to Congress.
Beijing has further cracked down on liberal and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong following the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong. In March, China passed a decision to revise Hong Kong’s electoral system. Recently, the Apple Daily, a pro-democracy media outlet in Hong Kong, was also forced to suspend its publication. The authorities continue to arrest and sentence pro-democracy activists.
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