The pro-Beijing camp has expressed “deep regret” over the passage of two acts and a resolution by the US House of Representatives this week in relation to Hong Kong’s protests.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act will punish officials deemed to be harming human rights and freedom in Hong Kong, whilst the Protect Hong Kong Act will ban sales of crowd-control weapons to the Hong Kong police. US representatives also passed a resolution calling on the Hong Kong government to address protesters’ demands. The Acts will now move to a similar vote in the Senate.
“We strongly object to the House of Representatives’ attempt to interfere mostly in the domestic affairs of Hong Kong and to promote the political interests of their proxies in Hong Kong,” lawmaker Regina Ip said on behalf of the camp.
She said hearings in Washington prior to the votes only heard testimonies from a handful of people, but not the Hong Kong community at large.
“The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act 2019 and the other legislation and resolution were passed in biased and unfair conditions. Any legislation enacted in such conditions are bound to result in lose-lose outcomes for all the parties concerned,” she said.
Ip said the US and Hong Kong have long-standing trade and law enforcement relations, and the passage of the acts and resolution would damage Sino-American relations.
“US interests are bound to be hurt adversely as a result,” she said.
On one side, you have a repressive regime crushing democratic freedoms in #HongKong. On the other, you have young people speaking out for freedom & democratic reforms. Proud to stand with @RepMcGovern in support of today’s bipartisan votes showing the House’s commitment to HK. pic.twitter.com/fmwA6KkR7b
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) October 16, 2019
Ip, in particular, criticised the Civic Party which conducted a tour last month to the US where they lobbied for the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to be passed: “If this act passes, and the US government cancels Hong Kong’s separate treatment when compared to mainland China, it would very harmful to the international perception of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle. I am very angry about a Hong Kong political party urging the US Congress to harm Hong Kong,” she said.
Martin Liao, convener of the pro-Beijing camp, said the camp’s lawmakers were willing to testify at the US Congress if it invited them.
The Hong Kong government expressed regret over the passage of the acts and resolution by the House on Tuesday.
A government spokesman said the “One Country, Two Systems” principle had been fully and successfully implemented in Hong Kong: “Human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation, in addition to the Basic Law,” a statement said.
“[F]oreign legislatures should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR.”
The statement said some protests have become violent, and the police have been exercising restraint in using force.
In response to the proposed ban on US crowd-control weapons such as tear gas and rubber bullets, the government said: “Regarding strategic trade control, Hong Kong is a separate customs territory under the Basic Law. We have been implementing comprehensive control on import, export and re-export of strategic commodities in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong and international control lists, and carrying out rigorous enforcement.”
“We will continue to maintain close co-operation with the US and other trading partners on the matter.
Hong Kong Free Press relies on direct reader support. Help safeguard independent journalism and press freedom as we invest more in freelancers, overtime, safety gear & insurance during this summer’s protests. 10 ways to support us.
