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US accuses HSBC of freezing accounts of Next Digital executives in latest sabre-rattling over China ‘bullying’
- Mike Pompeo says HSBC restricted accounts of officials of Apple Daily publisher Next Digital
- Restrictions are an example of ‘bullying tactics’ by Beijing: Pompeo
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United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted HSBC on Wednesday night, claiming the bank had maintained banking relationships with individuals facing American sanctions while cutting off access to Hong Kong executives of Next Digital, the publisher of Apple Daily.
The top American diplomat said it was another example of the “coercive bullying tactics” used by the Chinese Communist Party against British companies. HSBC is based in London, but generates the vast amount of its profit in Asia.
Referring to the company by its old name Next Media, Pompeo said HSBC had prevented executives of the publisher from accessing their credit cards and personal bank accounts. Media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the founder of Apple Daily and Next Digital, was arrested this month on suspicion of violating the city’s controversial national security law.
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“The bank is thus maintaining accounts for individuals who have been sanctioned for denying freedom for Hongkongers, while shutting accounts for those seeking freedom,” Pompeo said in a statement on Wednesday.
02:02
US sanctions over national security law an ‘inconvenience’, says Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam
US sanctions over national security law an ‘inconvenience’, says Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam
The US issued sanctions against 11 Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials, including Chief Executive Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor and Commissioner of Police Chris Tang Ping-keung, on August 7 over the national security law.
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