National security law: China slams US for second time over ‘safe-haven’ scheme for Hongkongers
- US memorandum ‘blatantly defames and attacks the law of China on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong’, foreign ministry says
- Department of Homeland Security authorised to grant Hongkongers ‘safe-haven status’ for 18 months, allowing them to work in United States
“The so-called memorandum blatantly defames and attacks the law of China on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and China’s Hong Kong policy,” spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, adding that it was another embodiment of Washington’s “vile behaviour” in interfering in the city’s affairs.
“The Chinese side deplores and firmly rejects this and has lodged solemn representations with the US side.”
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US offers temporary ‘safe haven’ for Hongkongers in response to crackdown on opposition
The memorandum authorises the Department of Homeland Security to grant Hongkongers “safe-haven status” for 18 months, allowing them to work in the US, and to “consider suspending” restrictions on those holding F-1 student visas. It applies to “any Hong Kong resident who is present in the United States on the date of this memorandum”.