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Hong Kong politics
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Hong Kong slams US lawmakers behind bill seeking to sanction 49 officials, judges and prosecutors over national security law, calling it a blatant attempt to intimidate

  • Government spokesman says US politicians should stop acting against international law and interfering in Hong Kong issues, which are China’s internal affairs
  • Officials targeted include Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung and police commissioner Raymond Siu

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If passed, the bill would require the US president to decide within 180 days whether to impose the sanctions. Photo: AFP
Sammy HeungandKahon Chan

Hong Kong has slammed US lawmakers pushing the Biden administration to sanction 49 city officials, judges and prosecutors, calling it a blatant attempt to intimidate those safeguarding national security and an affront to the rule of law.

The government’s strong condemnation on Friday followed the announcement of the Hong Kong Sanctions Act, a bipartisan bid by a group of legislators from both the US House of Representatives and the Senate to expand the list of people penalised over the national security law.

Officials targeted in the bill include Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee and Committee for Safeguarding National Security secretary general Sonny Au Chi-kwong.

Justice secretary Paul Lam is among the officials named in the bill. Photo: Edmond So
Justice secretary Paul Lam is among the officials named in the bill. Photo: Edmond So

Five justices including Cheung, seventeen judges, six magistrates and several prosecutors are named on the list.

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region despises any so-called ‘sanctions’ and shall never be intimidated. It shall continue to resolutely discharge the responsibility of safeguarding national security,” a government spokesman said, adding the security law had resulted in the city’s swift return to normality following the 2019 social unrest.

“Those US politicians insist on turning a blind eye to all these facts, and even clamour for so-called ‘sanctions’ against the HKSAR personnel who dutifully safeguard national security.

“The HKSAR government strongly condemns their political grandstanding rife with ill intentions, which have been seen through by all.”

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