Lawmakers protest outside US consulate against sanction threats

Legislators from multiple political parties demonstrated outside the US Consulate in Hong Kong regarding some US lawmakers' attempts to put city officials, judges, and prosecutors on a so-called "sanction list."

Five US bipartisan congressmen in the House of Representatives and the Senate proposed the Hong Kong Sanctions Act against 49 personnel last Friday.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, chairperson of the New People's Party and convenor of the Executive Council, criticized the proposed bill for slandering Hong Kong's persecution of human rights.

She believed that there was no significant trouble for sanctioned officials.

She further stated that Hong Kong's rule of law is in a good situation, as the World Justice Project ranks Hong Kong's legal system in the top 25 worldwide and even higher than the United States and several European countries.

"We are not concerned about sanctions," she added. As a member of the Legislative Council, she described the duty of legislating Article 23 as an honor.

The lawmaker added that the central government already has an anti-foreign sanctions law, but it has to be carefully considered if it is suitable to apply in Hong Kong.

Ip said Article 55 of the National Security Law requires a case to be transferred to the mainland only if it cannot be tried in Hong Kong. She hoped that members of the United States Congress would comprehend the applicable laws in Hong Kong and would not make rash threats.

Former Secretary for Security and Legislative Council member Lai Tung-kwok stated that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong and that all judicial officers and government personnel will continue to act in line with the law without fear.

He asked American lawmakers to "open their eyes, see the reality, and desist from intervening in the internal affairs of others."

Protests were also held by the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU) and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB).

They claimed that the more the US intervenes and sanctions Hong Kong, the greater the need and necessity of the Hong Kong National Security Law's legislation and enforcement.

Joephy Chan Wing-yan, a HKFTU legislator, stated that if the US does not withdraw the actions, it will escalate its actions and hold day and night demonstrations in the hopes that the US will focus on its own people's livelihood and not interfere in the internal affairs of others.

Chan Hok-fung, vice chairman of the DAB, said that the US openly interfered in Hong Kong's internal affairs, maligned and attempted to influence the city's legal system, displaying bullying arrogance and inciting great widespread outrage and expressed his party will fully support SAR officials and judicial personnel in performing their duties.

Elizabeth Quat Pei-fan and Holden Chow Ho-ding, both vice chairpersons of the DAB, describe the sanctions as terrorist behavior. 

They added that the start of the Hong Kong Legal Week today, which gathered various legal experts worldwide to exchange views, has proven the city's rule of law is excellent.

"It shows that US politicians' attempts to slander Hong Kong's rule of law are based on ignorance," said Chow.