Washington D.C. – The United States government on Monday announced sanctions against Hong Kong’s departing Police Commissioner, Raymond Siu Chak-yee, and five other officials for allegedly undermining the city’s “protected rights and freedoms” and engaging in transnational repression. The move comes as Siu prepares to retire on Tuesday.
The sanctions, which freeze any assets these officials hold in the US and restrict financial transactions with them under US law, were implemented under an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sanctions demonstrate the US commitment to holding accountable those responsible for depriving Hongkongers of their rights and freedoms, or for committing acts of transnational repression on US soil.
“The Trump administration remains committed to taking action in response to the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy,” said Secretary Rubio, citing the most recent edition of the State Department’s Hong Kong Policy Report, released in conjunction with the sanctions announcement.
The move highlights ongoing concerns within the US government regarding Beijing’s commitment to maintaining Hong Kong’s autonomy, as guaranteed for 50 years after the city’s sovereignty was transferred from Britain to mainland China in 1997. Decades ago, Beijing pledged to largely keep the city’s governance under local control until July 1, 2047.
The sanctions are the latest in a series of measures taken by the US in response to what it sees as a diminishing of civil liberties in Hong Kong, particularly in the wake of the 2019 protests and the subsequent implementation of the National Security Law.
In addition to the sanctions, the US also warned of additional visa restrictions for Chinese officials allegedly blocking “reciprocal access” to Tibet.
