Press Release
Erosion of Hong Kong’s Freedoms: A Clear U.S. Interest
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, joined with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today in holding a hearing to examine the long-term prospects for human rights and basic freedoms in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s autonomy is being threatened by the Chinese government’s interventions in Hong Kong’s political affairs and its courts, the slow erosion of press and academic freedoms under Beijing’s pressure and the abduction of Hong Kong’s citizens by Chinese police. “Maintaining Hong Kong’s autonomy is a critical U.S. interest. The U.S. also has a clear interest in Beijing abiding by its international agreements—in Hong Kong and elsewhere,” said Smith. “Though Beijing’s increasingly rough oversight of Hong Kong may not be as brutal as that pursued on the Mainland, it is no less pernicious. The ultimate goal is eroding Hong Kong’s guaranteed freedoms and the rule law and intimidating those who try to defend them.” Click Here to read Smith's Statement. Smith is the author of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (H.R. 1159) which would amend the 1992 Hong Kong Policy Act, which gave Hong Kong special status under U.S. law as long as its freedoms and autonomy was guaranteed. Smith will introduce a revised version of the bill in the 115th Congress to coincide with the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from the British to the Chinese government. The revised Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act would give the President the ability to use punitive measures against any government officials in Hong Kong or the mainland responsible for suppressing basic freedoms in the city. Those individuals responsible for the surveillance, abduction, detention or forced confessions of booksellers and journalists in Hong Kong or other actions suppressing basic freedoms could face the freezing of any U.S.-based assets and the denial of U.S.-entry. “It is in everyone’s interest that Hong Kong remain a free and prosperous bridge between China and the West, but the city’s unique vitality and prosperity are rooted in its guaranteed freedoms. If Hong Kong is to become just another Mainland Chinese city, we will have to reassess whether Hong Kong warrants special status under U.S. law,” said Smith. “The U.S. should push back hard against the erosion of freedom and autonomy in Hong Kong. If the U.S. and the international community does not defend the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong’s citizens now, there is little hope that freedom can take root in China’s future.” The Congressional-Executive Commission on China was created by Congress in October 2000 to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China, and to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Members of the Commission include up to nine Representatives and nine Senators from both parties, along with five senior officials in the Executive Branch, representing the Department of State, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Commerce. ### |