Hong Kong slams US politician’s call for sanctions against officials over Article 23 law
- Authorities respond to US congressman Adam Schiff’s introduction of resolution to penalise officials over domestic national security law
The city government hit back on Thursday after Democratic congressman Adam Schiff introduced House Resolution 1277 two days earlier in response to the passage of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in March.
The Hong Kong government characterised the action as “smearing and slandering” such legislation, while stressing it would resolutely safeguard national security in accordance with the law despite any threat of sanctions.
“It attempted to use the name of freedom to disguise its despicable political motives and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs which are internal affairs of China … [Hong Kong] will not be intimidated by such despicable behaviour,” it said.
The government also said the city’s legal framework for safeguarding national security was in line with international human rights standards, and only “intruders trying to plunder and loot” would oppose the city’s efforts to safeguard national security.
Schiff’s resolution called on United States President Joe Biden to employ targeted sanctions against Hong Kong officials who are “complicit in using the provisions of the Article 23 legislation, or other legal authorities, to undermine basic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong”.