China revises Hong Kong‘s electoral system, further tightening democratic space. U.S. Secretary of State John Blinken maintains the previous administration’s assessment on the 31st, certifying to Congress that Hong Kong no longer has a high degree of autonomy and does not qualify for special treatment under U.S. law, a major statement by the Biden administration on the situation in Hong Kong.
China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee on the 30th through the Hong Kong electoral system changes, the future of both the Chief Executive, the Chief Executive Election Committee and Legislative Council candidates, to pass the election seats, but also from 35 seats significantly reduced to 20 seats, a significant impact on the pan-democratic faction in the future to run for election, the opportunity to be elected.
The day after Beijing revised Hong Kong’s electoral system, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Antony Blinken) 31 immediately published the “Hong Kong Policy Act” (Hong Kong Policy Act) annual report to Congress to certify that Hong Kong’s autonomy does not meet the special treatment under U.S. law.
Through a statement, Blinken said that over the past year, the Chinese Communist Party has continued to undermine Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, in violation of its obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Hong Kong. In particular, he pointed to China’s implementation of the “Hong Kong National Security Law” at the end of June last year, which seriously undermined the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
This year’s report examines the situation in Hong Kong from June of last year to February of this year. According to Blinken, the report documents a number of actions by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities that undermine Hong Kong’s promised high degree of autonomy, freedom and democracy.
These include, for example, the arbitrary arrest and politically motivated prosecution of opposition politicians, social activists and peaceful protesters under the National Security Law and other laws; the delay of the Legislative Council election; the pressure on judicial independence, academic and media freedom; and the de facto ban on public demonstrations and protests.
Blinken emphasized his commitment to continuing to work with the U.S. Congress and allies to stand with the people of Hong Kong in confronting the egregious policies and practices of the Chinese Communist Party. As shown in the State Department’s 16-day report on the updated Hong Kong Autonomy Act, the United States will allow those involved to bear the consequences of their actions.
He reiterated that the U.S. will continue to urge Beijing to comply with its international obligations; to stop undermining Hong Kong’s democratic system, autonomy and rule of law; to immediately release all Hong Kong people who have been unjustly detained, to rescind the relevant notices; and to respect the human rights of all people in Hong Kong.
Last May 27, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certified to Congress that Hong Kong no longer has a high degree of autonomy and does not qualify for special treatment under U.S. law, on the eve of the Chinese National People’s Congress’ scheduled consideration of the enabling legislation for the “Hong Kong State Security Law. This is the first Time the U.S. has made a similar determination.
The U.S. has repeatedly imposed sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials, but as Beijing’s efforts to suppress Hong Kong have increased rather than decreased, President Joe Biden’s administration has continued to be concerned about the situation in Hong Kong since taking office on Jan. 20.
Blinken also chose the eve of the U.S.-China high-level meeting in Alaska on March 18 to update his report on Hong Kong’s autonomy law, naming 24 Chinese and Hong Kong officials who have undermined Hong Kong’s autonomy, including 14 vice chairmen of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, all on the list.
Under the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, the U.S. Secretary of State is required to regularly review developments in Hong Kong and submit reports to Congress.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which takes effect in November 2019, further requires the Secretary of State to include in his annual report a review of all aspects of Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedom, and to determine whether Hong Kong should continue to enjoy special treatment under U.S. law.
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