National security law: US lawmakers condemn Beijing’s move against Hong Kong freedoms
- While promising action, members of Congress also debate what effective leverage they might have to put pressure on the Chinese government
- Lawmakers are united ‘in support of freedom, justice and real autonomy for the people of Hong Kong’, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says
Washington expressed strong displeasure on Tuesday over the passage of the Hong Kong national security law, which gives Beijing sweeping authority to curtail democratic freedoms, even as US lawmakers debated what leverage they have to effectively apply pressure on China.
“The United States will not stand idly by while China swallows Hong Kong into its authoritarian maw,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a statement. “The United States will continue to stand with the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong and respond to Beijing’s attacks on freedoms of speech, the press, and assembly, as well as the rule of law.”
“Today marks a sad day for Hong Kong,” he added.
Hong Kong national security law full text:
Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, echoed the mood. “Xi Jinping and his Communist thugs must face severe consequences for crushing Hong Kong’s freedoms,” he said in a statement.
Cotton, an outspoken China hawk, called on the Trump administration to consider “all options at its disposal” aimed at denying Beijing the benefits of Hong Kong’s distinct economic privileges.