US sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for ‘implementing Beijing’s policies of suppression’
- Trump administration’s measures also target secretary-level officials in Hong Kong and several mainland officials
- The sanctions are being carried out to punish Beijing for curtailing political freedoms in Hong Kong
The Trump administration on Friday imposed economic sanctions on 11 current and former Chinese officials, including Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, marking a drastic escalation in tensions with Beijing over its imposition of a national security law in the semi-autonomous city.
The US Treasury Department singled out Lam for “implementing Beijing’s policies of suppression of freedom and democratic processes,” citing her role last year in attempting to pass an extradition law and, more recently, her involvement in “developing, adopting or implementing” the national security law.
Enacted in June, the law criminalises a broad range of behaviours under the four categories of secession, terrorism, subversion and collusion with a foreign power.
Under the economic sanctions, brought by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the US-based assets of individuals or entities are blocked and Americans and businesses are generally prohibited from dealing with them.
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US sanctions 11 Hong Kong and mainland officials including Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam
The administration brought the sanctions under authority set out by an executive order that US President Donald Trump signed last month, laying out a series of measures punishing China for the national security law.