National security law: China vows to retaliate against US sanctions on seven officials in charge of Hong Kong affairs

Name: US warns American companies about operating in Hong Kong, sanctions 7 Chinese officials
Uploaded: 2021-07-17T02:39:46.000Z
Duration: 2 min 3 s
Description: US warns American companies about operating in Hong Kong, sanctions 7 Chinese officials

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam dismisses Washington’s accusation of Beijing eroding city’s freedoms as ‘totally unsubstantiated’

Lam joins chorus of mainland Chinese authorities condemning US sanctions and advisory to American business about alleged deteriorating conditions in city

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China is prepared for a ‘face-off’ with Western countries over Hong Kong, an academic says. Photo: Reuters

Natalie Wong,Chan Ho-himandSarah Zheng

Published: 10:39am, 17 Jul 2021Updated: 12:50pm, 19 Jul 2021

China has vowed to retaliate against American sanctions on seven mainland officials in charge of Hong Kong affairs, while the city’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor dismissed Washington’s accusation of Beijing eroding local freedoms as “totally unsubstantiated”.

The chief executive, along with Hong Kong’s other four principal officials, joined a chorus of mainland Chinese authorities condemning the latest US sanctions and advisory to American business against alleged deteriorating conditions in the city. She said it amounted to “intimidation”.

Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu, speaking to the Post on Saturday, also hit out at Washington and accused it of trying to continue a “fabricated story” to attack China and the financial hub.

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US warns American companies about operating in Hong Kong, sanctions 7 Chinese officials

The latest punitive measures by Washington also drew a fierce response from mainland authorities.

Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong slammed the United States for its “unprovoked smearing” after Washington issued an advisory warning of “clear operational, financial, legal and reputational risks” in the city, citing the national security law and potential retaliation against companies for compliance with US sanctions.

In its statement, the liaison office vowed China would deal a “head-on blow” to Washington. The fiery language was echoed in separate statements from the Chinese foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office under the State Council.

Three official media outlets directly under the central government – Xinhua, People’s Daily and China Central Television – all published strongly worded editorials on Saturday, attacking the American sanctions. They slammed Washington for blatantly interfering in China’s domestic affairs and dismissed the sanctions as “paper tiger.”