US senators propose bill requiring annual review of Hong Kong’s special treatment in wake of extradition law crisis
- Legislation would also require US president to sanction those responsible for abduction of individuals from the city
- Second bill would require the US to report on any Chinese activities to extradite or ‘coercively move’ foreign nationals from Hong Kong
After protests roiled Hong Kong over a proposed law clearing the way for extraditions to mainland China, senior US lawmakers introduced legislation on Thursday requiring that the president protect Americans from the law’s effects and sanction individuals responsible for abducting booksellers, journalists and activists.
The bipartisan legislation also calls for the US secretary of state to certify Hong Kong’s autonomy from mainland China to continue enjoying special trade and economic benefits under the US-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992.
The bill was the second about Hong Kong in two days. On Wednesday, one was introduced that would require the US government to report on Beijing’s use of Hong Kong as a base for espionage against foreigners.
The moves came in the wake of escalating protests against proposed amendments to Hong Kong’s extradition laws that have thrown the global financial hub into turmoil.
On Sunday, in one of the largest protests in Hong Kong history, hundreds of thousands of people – organisers estimated the crowd at more than 1 million – marched against the bill that would let the city transfer residents and visitors to the mainland to face trial on charges brought by China.
On Tuesday, another protest turned violent as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators blocking roads outside government headquarters in advance of a debate the city’s Legislative Council was expected to hold on Wednesday. More than 70 people were reported injured.