US to impose new visa curbs on Hong Kong officials over rights crackdown

30/3/2024 13:40

        The United States said on Friday it will impose new visa restrictions on a number of Hong Kong officials over the crackdown on rights and freedoms in the Chinese-ruled territory.
        
        A statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that in the past year, China continued to take actions against Hong Kong's promised high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions, and rights and freedoms, including with the recent enactment of a new national security law known as Article 23.
        
        Blinken said, "In response, the Department of State is announcing that it is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials responsible for the intensifying crackdown on rights and freedoms."
        
        The statement did not identify the officials who would be targeted.
        
        In November, Hong Kong condemned a U.S. bill calling for sanctions against 49 Hong Kong officials, judges and prosecutors involved in national security cases, saying U.S. legislators were grand-standing and trying to intimidate the city.