Mike Pompeo says US report assessing Hong Kong autonomy to be delayed until after China’s parliament

US State Department waiting to see if Hong Kong situation will be addressed by National People’s Congress in its annual meeting, which begins May 22

Observers speculate on Beijing policy changes, Hong Kong’s value to America and the role of China in the US election campaign

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the press on Wednesday in Washington. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:51am, 7 May 2020Updated: 11:23pm, 7 May 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a report on Hong Kong’s autonomy that could trigger sanctions would be postponed until after the Chinese government’s annual legislative session this month, to take into account what Beijing says about the semi-autonomous city during the meeting.

“Right now we're delaying our report to Congress that will assess Hong Kong’s autonomy to allow us to account for any additional actions that Beijing may be contemplating in the run-up to National People’s Congress that would further undermine the people of Hong Kong's autonomy as promised by China,” Pompeo told reporters in Washington.

Under new reporting requirements stipulated by the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which was enacted on November 27 after garnering bipartisan support, Pompeo must certify an annual assessment of Hong Kong’s autonomy. It requires that the report be distributed to the foreign affairs committees of the Senate and House, and to several other congressional committees, within 180 days of the act’s passage.

The annual general assembly session of the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament, is set to begin on May 22, after being delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Among other provisions, the US law requires that the State Department evaluate Hong Kong’s record on human rights and the rule of law, and mandates sanctions on anyone deemed responsible for the erosion of the city’s ability to preserve its autonomy from China in these areas.