Carrie Lam, CEO of Hong Kong, speaks at a news conference on Friday, July 31, 2020.
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
Photographer: Chan Long Hei / Bloomberg
Hong Kong leader says she has problems using her credit cards after US sanctions focused on Chinese officials and their allies in the city.
‘As far as I’m concerned, it’s going to be a bit of a hassle here and there, because we have to use some financial services and we do not know if that will relate back to an agency that has some American business – and the use of credit cards is a bit hindered. , ‘said Chief Executive Carrie Lam in a interview with Chinese state broadcaster CGTN posted late Monday. “But what concerns me are really meaningless.”
Lam was one of 11 officials sanctioned by President Donald Trump’s administration earlier this month for his role in curtailing political freedoms in Hong Kong, thanks to the implementation of new national security legislation passed by China in June had imposed.
“The most important thing is that we to feel “We are honored that at this historic moment we are trusted by the central government to enforce a piece of national law to protect national security,” Lam said. “The more that this attracts the critics of China to attack us, the more effective this piece of legislation is in achieving its intended goal.”
Visa and Mastercard spokespersons do not immediately respond to messages requesting comments outside business hours.
China banks trade in Trump sanctions on Hong Kong
Bloomberg’s largest state-owned banks operating in Hong Kong are taking tentative steps to comply with US sanctions imposed on city officials, Bloomberg reported last week as it seeks to protect its access to crucial dollar financing and foreign networks. Major lenders with operations in the US, including Bank of China Ltd., China Construction Bank Corp., and China Merchants Bank Co. have been cautious about opening new accounts for the 11 sanctioned officials, people said.
Virus Control
Lam said Tuesday that she would announce a third round of virus-control measures as she holds her first weekly briefing after summer recess for her advisory state legislators. She did not give a time frame, but said authorities would sort out the details quickly.
“There are still infected people in the community, so we should not let our guard down,” she said.
Hong Kong has extended all existing Covid-19 related social distance measures for one week – until August 25 – as it continues with a new wave of cases. There was still no sign of a steadily declining trend in new infections, Lam said, adding that she was still concerned that there are many silent carriers in the community.
Lam said she would give her annual policy address on October 14. The press conference was the first time she has faced local media since the arrest last Monday of media tycoon Jimmy Lai under national security legislation.
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai Says Arrest took him by surprise
Lam is one of the most visible Chinese leaders in the fight over the future of Hong Kong. Her attempt last year to pass a bill that would have allowed extractions on the mainland allowed months of pro-democracy protests, and she defends Beijing’s legal right to bypass the Hong Kong legislature and enforce the security law.
The national security measures have raised concerns about the state of Hong Kong’s autonomy from China, including freedoms of the press and the independence of its judicial system. Both have helped bolster Hong Kong’s reputation as a global financial hub.
– With the help of Natalie Lung, Karen Leigh, Alfred Liu, and Jon Herskovitz
(Updates with details of Lam’s briefing.)
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