State Department walks back Apec invitation for Hong Kong leader John Lee, says US ‘has not made any commitments’

Congress had earlier been told the department intended to welcome Lee to the San Francisco event, despite the chief executive being under US sanctions

An incorrect version of the statement was sent, a spokesperson says, but lawmakers note the new language still unclear on status of an invitation

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks during a press conference at the city’s government headquarters in May. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:07am, 14 Jun 2023Updated: 6:55am, 14 Jun 2023

The State Department has walked back a statement indicating that Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee would be invited to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in San Francisco this year, as a bipartisan group of lawmakers urge for him to be barred from entering the US.

Confirmation of the possible invitation was conveyed to the Senate by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. In a written response to members of the Foreign Relations Committee following her February 9 testimony to the panel, Sherman said the US would waive its entry restrictions imposed on Lee.

Lee was placed under US sanctions in 2020 over his role as the city’s secretary of security in implementing what Washington has described as a “draconian” Hong Kong national security law.

According to Sherman, Lee’s presence was considered important to “foster regional economic dialogue and for the United States and the PRC to work together to maintain global macro-economic stability”.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman earlier indicated the US would waive its entry restrictions placed on Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee after he was sanctioned. Photo: EPA-EFE

Her remarks prompted two Republicans, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida and Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, and two Democrats, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, to contact the department and ask Secretary of State Antony Blinken to bar Lee from entering the US.