The US State Department has announced visa restrictions on several Hong Kong officials due to human rights concerns. This decision came after the yearly assessment of Hong Kong’s autonomy, a promise China made when Britain returned the city in 1997.
Every year, the State Department presents the Hong Kong Policy Act Report to Congress. Secretary of State Blinken noted that this year’s report shows increased suppression of civil society, media, and dissenting voices by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities, including rewards for and arrest warrants against pro-democracy activists outside Hong Kong.
To address this, the State Department is imposing new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials responsible for the crackdown on rights and freedoms, based on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Blinken didn’t mention the specific officials affected but mentioned ongoing collaboration with Congress and international partners to support Hong Kong’s people.
US visa restrictions, Hong Kong officials, Human rights concerns, International relations, Diplomatic measures