Beijing’s anti-sanctions law will give US, others ‘a taste of their own medicine’, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says
- Citing first-hand experience, Lam accuses Western countries of violating international norms with their own sanctions
- The anti-sanctions law will give targeted entities the ability to report damages and sue for compensation in Chinese courts
“The Hong Kong government has first-hand experience regarding these sanctioning acts,” she said, explaining why her administration “welcomed the move very much”.
“There is a saying: ‘Let others have a taste of their own medicine’,” she added. “I believe any Chinese person who upholds the sovereignty, dignity and core interests of our country should feel the outrage in their heart.”
China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, is set to pass the anti-sanctions law on Thursday following a second reading on Monday.
The law is seen as an extension of measures aimed at “counteracting unjustified extraterritorial application of foreign legislation”, which were first revealed in January. These “blocking rules” take aim at Washington’s so-called long-arm jurisdiction, which allows it to prosecute entities as long as they have links to the US.
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Lam on Tuesday pointed out that the new anti-sanctions law would only provide an avenue for Beijing to respond, not strike first.
Lam’s remarks came after she reportedly told attendees of a weekend session organised by the city’s biggest pro-establishment party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, that she expected she would be sanctioned for life, even after she left office.
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In previous interviews, Lam said she kept piles of cash at home as she could not maintain a bank account, although she said she felt honourable for enduring the hardship.
The US has repeatedly raised concerns over the national security law and the subsequent arrests of dozens of opposition figures, as well as the electoral overhaul, which Beijing imposed to ensure the city was run only by “patriots”.
But China has frequently hit back at the US, warning against any interference in its internal affairs. In January, it also imposed sanctions on 28 US officials, including departing secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
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Heavy police presence in Hong Kong stops mass commemoration of June 4 Tiananmen Square crackdown
Asked on Tuesday why opposition district councillors in Hong Kong had been issued warnings by the Home Affairs Department over their handing out of candles or social media posts relating to the anniversary, city leader Lam said that was to ensure public money allocated to those representatives was used properly.
“District councillors have been creating big tests and challenges for the government, especially the Home Affairs Department, because many of their acts have been unprecedented,” Lam said.
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She added: “If public money is not used properly, according to the District Councils Ordinance and in the name of public duty, the [department’s] director has a huge responsibility to take action. That’s why officials have to respond appropriately.”
The chief executive reiterated her position that the government would follow the law in deciding whether a group should be proscribed.
Additional reporting by Tony Cheung