US sanctions 'may lead to Lai's case heading north'

The US bill to sanction 49 Hong Kong judges, prosecutors and government officials might be "more of a hindrance" ahead of media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying's national security case as sanctions might prompt the case to be tried in the mainland, said pro-Beijing heavyweight Tam Yiu-chung.

Tam, the former sole Hong Kong delegate to the National People's Congress standing committee, said if the proposed sanctions are signed into law, judges and prosecutors will "certainly feel some pressure."

"By that time, the central government might be forced to exercise its jurisdiction under article 55 of the national security law when given no other choices," Tam said.

Tam also said although the proposed sanctions had not been imposed yet, precautions had to be taken.

"I am now warning the US not to make reckless moves. You think you can help someone who is involved in some case, or protect someone who has breached national security? You just can't, you might harm them even more or be more of a burden," he said.

Tam took pains to point out that he was not trying to cast the transfer of such cases as something bad but reminding the US that there is a mechanism that allows the case to be raised to a central government level, giving foreign countries no chance to intervene.

Tam's warning came as protests against the sanctions bill continued into a third day, with all 90 Legislative Council members signing a declaration that they "unswervingly oppose and strongly condemn" the US politicians intervening in Hong Kong affairs.

Also chiming in were all 27 associations of Chinese fellow townsmen.

They are also calling for tit-for-tat sanctions on US politicians, and expedite the enactment of an anti-subversion law in line with article 23 of the Basic Law.

The General Chamber of Commerce also denounced the sanctions bill.

It added that Hong Kong's rule of law is the cornerstone on which people and businesses can thrive, while the judicial system is also a "key driver" of the city's business-friendly environment.

"We believe this proposal aims to sabotage Hong Kong's judicial independence. They are also jeopardizing the interests of all businesses, local and foreign alike."