U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo look like U.S. officials … [+]
Hong Kong hit back at the US by issuing a “harsh reprimand” for its unilateral decision to withdraw from three bilateral agreements with the city.
The Hong Kong government said Thursday it “strongly opposes and deplores the US action, which is widely seen as a move to create problems in China – US relations, with Hong Kong as a pawn.”
The unilateral decision was said to reflect the Trump administration’s respect for bilateralism and multilateralism, and it should be condemned by the international community, a spokesman said.
Earlier, the US State Department said it had informed the Hong Kong government that it would suspend agreements such as ending the transfer of fugitive criminals, the transfer of convicted persons, and reciprocal tax exemptions on shipping income.
Hong Kong government claims that the suspensions will actually cause more harm to the US than its intended purpose. Since the agreement reached with the US in 1998, a total of 69 refugees have been sent to the United States, while only 23 refugees have been transferred in the opposite direction. And by ending the tax treaty, U.S. shipping companies will be subject to tax payers in both Hong Kong and the US
U.S. State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus said the agency carried out Donald Trump’s executive order to end preferential treatment for Hong Kong over the recent imposition of a national security law that has since been used to target pro-democracy activists.
“These steps underscore our deep concern over Beijing’s decision to enact the National Security Act, which has violated the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong,” she added.
President Trump said on July 14 that he had signed legislation and an executive order that gave him powerful new tools to “hold China accountable for its repressive actions against the people of Hong Kong,” when it passed the new law. the city imposed.
Less than two weeks ago, his administration issued economic sanctions on Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam and 10 other current and former Chinese officials.
Beijing took the security law in response to protests from last year that sometimes paralyzed the city. Ironically, these protests stem from the government’s plan to pass legislation that would allow extractions to mainland China.
But since the Security Act came into force, Hong Kong has already seen the termination or suspension of extradition agreements with Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
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