The U.S. Senate has passed legislation aimed at individuals and companies – including banks – that back efforts to crack down on Hong Kong's autonomy.
The «Hong Kong Autonomy Act» was unanimously passed in the American upper house and now awaits approval from the lower house, the House of Representatives, and President Donald Trump.
The bill will target people or entities that contribute to «the contravention of China's obligations», according to a statement from Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen, which includes police units that crack down on Hong Kong protestors or Chinese Communist Party officials responsible for imposing the national security law.
In addition, the bill could also enable sanctions against banks that conduct «significant transactions» with the aforementioned people or entities.
National Security Law
Uncertainty continues to loom over the proposed national security law in Hong Kong. Despite continued assurance and support from government officials and some large companies like HSBC or Swire Pacific, worries remain especially with regards to the retention of freedoms such as press, expression, information or capital flows.
«Today, the Senate took meaningful action to hold China and its proxies to account for their ongoing efforts to extinguish liberty and democracy in Hong Kong. This legislation sends a strong, bipartisan message that the United States stands with the people of Hong Kong,» Van Hollen added.
«We urge the Government of China to abandon their ongoing efforts to repress freedoms in Hong Kong. There will be a price to pay if they continue down that path.»
