US to target more China officials over Hong Kong crackdown, sources say
- At least a dozen Communist Party members and officials from the National People’s Congress could face sanctions this week
- Asset freezes and financial restrictions part of Trump administration’s latest pressure on Beijing
Three sources, including a US official familiar with the matter, said the US was preparing to target officials from the Chinese Communist Party as President Donald Trump’s administration keeps up pressure on Beijing in his final weeks in office. President-elect Joe Biden takes over on January 20.
Up to 14 people – including party members and officials of China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress – are likely to be targeted by measures such as asset freezes and financial sanctions, two sources said.
The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said multiple individuals would be sanctioned. A person familiar with the matter said the group would be likely to include officials from Hong Kong as well as the mainland.
The sources did not provide names or positions of those being targeted for sanctions. Two sources cautioned an announcement could still be delayed until later in the week. Neither the State Department nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment.
Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed government last month expelled four opposition members from its legislature after China’s parliament gave city authorities new powers to curb dissent. The move triggered mass resignations by pro-democracy opposition lawmakers in the former British colony.
It also raised further alarm in the West. The Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group – made up of Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the US – said last month the move appeared to be part of a campaign to silence critics and called on Beijing to reverse course.