US condemns Hong Kong rewards and passport cancellations for Democrats

WASHINGTON – The US State Department said Hong Kong had offered rewards for six more pro-democracy activists believed to have violated national security laws and cancellation of passports another seven were attempts at intimidation.

The State Department also separately condemned China for taking action against two Canadian institutions and 20 individuals involved in human rights concerns regarding Uyghurs and Tibet.

“We reject the Hong Kong government’s attempts to intimidate and silence people who have chosen to make the United States their home,” the State Department said in a statement. in the application on December 26, adding that some of the targeted individuals were in the United States.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the actions of Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies were necessary to protect national sovereignty and security.

“The extraterritorial application of Hong Kong’s national security laws is fully in line with international law and practice,” ministry spokesman Mao Ning told reporters at a Dec. 27 briefing.

She called the US hypocritical for “attacking” Hong Kong’s actions while “abusing the concept of national security and using illegal long-arm jurisdiction.”

imposed by China legislation on national security in Hong Kong prompted US sanctions and was used to imprison pro-democracy activists after violent street protests in 2019.

China’s National Security Administration in Hong Kong said on December 24 that it supported the actions because the individuals had engaged in “anti-Chinese” and destabilizing activities.

On December 22, Beijing separately targeted the Canadian Uighur Rights Project and the Canada-Tibetan Committee, announcing measures including asset freezes and entry bans.

Human rights groups accuse Beijing of mass abuses against Uyghursa predominantly Muslim ethnic minority numbering about 10 million in the western region of Xinjiangin particular, the mass use of forced labor in the camps. Beijing denies any wrongdoing.

China seized control of Tibet in 1950. International rights groups and exiles regularly denounce what they say is China’s repressive rule in Tibetan regions. Reuters

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