The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commissioner Cui Jianchun has made ‘serious representations’ to US Consul General Gregory May regarding sanctions imposed on six officials.
The official from Beijing responsible for foreign affairs in Hong Kong has met with the senior US representative in the city to express formal protests regarding the recent sanctions imposed by Washington on six Chinese and local officials.
Cui Jianchun, the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, informed US Consul General Gregory May on Wednesday that Beijing will firmly respond to Washington’s hegemonic actions.
The gathering occurred one day following Washington’s announcement of new sanctions. This time, the targets included Justice Secretary Paul Lam Ting-kwok and ex-police chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee. The United States cited “transnational repression” of dissidents as per Hong Kong’s national security legislation, justifying these measures against them.
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Washington additionally presented its most recent Hong Kong Policy Act Report to the US Congress, stating that both mainland and local Hong Kong officials have persistently exploited national security as an overly broad and ambiguous justification to erode the rule of law and encroach upon safeguarded rights and liberties within the region.
Beijing’s representative office in Hong Kong stated on Thursday that Cui had met with Carrie Lam the previous day to convey “serious representations” regarding the U.S.’s “unjustified sanctions” and its most recent report about the region.
The office stated that [Cui] strongly condemned and firmly opposed the U.S.’s blatant interference in Hong Kong and China’s internal matters, and forcefully cautioned the American side against underestimating China’s unwavering resolve to protect its national sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.
China will adopt decisive and strong retaliatory measures against the US actions that are seen as hegemonic and coercive.
Previously, Beijing stated that it would firmly respond to the U.S. regarding the newest set of sanctions, but did not provide specifics on potential retaliatory actions.
The Post has contacted the US consulate in Hong Kong seeking their input.
In addition to Lam and Siu, those who faced sanctions include Sonny Au Chi-kwong, the Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong; Dong Jingwei, Director of the Beijing Office for Safeguarding National Security in the city; as well as Assistant Police Commissioners Dick Wong Chung-chun and Margaret Chiu Wing-lan, both serving within the police’s National Security Department.
Individuals who have been sanctioned are forbidden from entering the United States. Additionally, all their property within the U.S. will be seized. They are also restricted from engaging in any transactions involving American citizens or entities located in the country.
In 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on 11 local and mainland officials due to the Beijing-enforced national security legislation. This included John Lee Ka-chiu, who was serving as the security secretary at that time before becoming the Chief Executive.
In reaction, China enforced sanctions on 11 prominent US senators and officials, such as current Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source of news covering China and Asia.
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