For the first time, the U.S. government is urging its citizens who are planning to visit Hong Kong to reconsider their travel plans and avoid being arrested and prosecuted after arriving in Hong Kong for having publicly criticized China, two and a half months after the Chinese government pushed for the “Hong Kong version of the National Security Law.
The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Hong Kong on Monday, mentioning the “Hong Kong National Security Law” for the first time in addition to the usual references to the neo-crowning epidemic factor, raising the travel alert level from the second level of “Exercise increased caution” to “Reconsider travel”.
The U.S. State Department noted on its official website that since the “Hong Kong version of the National Security Law” went into effect on July 1, China has demonstrated an intent to use its authority to unilaterally and arbitrarily exercise police and security powers in Hong Kong against a wide range of activities they define as “secession,” regime change, terrorism, and “collusion” with foreign powers.
The travel advisory issued by the State Department specifically mentions that the “Hong Kong version of the National Security Law” covers non-Hong Kong residents and organizations outside of Hong Kong, resulting in an increased risk of arrest, deportation, and prosecution of U.S. citizens who publicly criticize China, and that China’s National Security Agency is already operating in Hong Kong.
The updated Travel Alert reminds U.S. citizens in Hong Kong that participation in demonstrations in Hong Kong may be interpreted by Hong Kong authorities as subversion, terrorism, or collusion with foreign powers, which could result in criminal charges.
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