The United States has said that it will impose new visa restrictions on a number of Hong Kong government officials accused of perpetrating human rights violations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement asserted that action will be promptly taken on this matter.
Media reports said, in the past year China has intensified efforts to curtail Hong Kong autonomy, democratic institutions, and the freedoms of its citizens. The latest move by Beijing, the enactment of Article 23 under the National Security Law, has raised concerns regarding the erosion of civil liberties in the region.
According to the US State Department, the targeted Hong Kong officials have been implicated in the severe suppression of democratic rights and aspirations of the populace, purportedly under the guise of implementing the law. The statement emphasised the United States’ commitment to upholding the democratic rights of the people of Hong Kong.
