US lawmakers introduce bipartisan resolution condemning China’s Hong Kong treatment News
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US lawmakers introduce bipartisan resolution condemning China’s Hong Kong treatment

US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives Friday condemning the actions of the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong local authorities as violating the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.

According to the resolution, China has disregarded its international legal obligations under a joint resolution in which the government committed that (1) Hong Kong would have a high level of autonomy; (2) Hong Kong’s social and economic systems would remain unchanged for at least 50 years; and (3) personal rights and freedoms of the people would be protected by law.

The resolution cited several examples to support its statement that the government’s actions violated rights and freedoms. Among other actions, it pointed to the new Hong Kong national security law as part of China’s “continued efforts to undermine the established rights of the Hong Kong people,” as well as the arrests of pro-democracy activists and the disqualification of 12 pro-democracy candidates from participating in Legislative Council elections.

In closing, the resolution condemns the actions and reaffirmed support for the people of Hong Kong. It calls on the Chinese government and local authorities to respect and uphold commitments to the international community and Hong Kong, as well as the judicial independence of Hong Kong’s legal system. It also calls on the Chinese government to release those arrested under the national security law.

The resolution would also encourage the US to work with allies to provide protection for Hong Kong residents, as well as to encourage the US to continue implementing sanctions.

US lawmakers also reintroduced HR 1155 last week, which would ban imports from China’s Xinjiang region that are made with forced labor.