A “Five Demands, Not One Less” march in Hong Kong, July 1, 2020 (Vincent Yu/AP)
President Joe Biden grants temporary refuge to Hong Kong visa holders, amid China’s crackdown on political rights and dissent in the former UK territory.
Biden signed a memorandum on Friday permitting thousands of US residents from Hong Kong to live and work in the country for 18 months.
The measure follows the national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in June. More than 100 opposition politicians, activists, and demonstrators have been detained since then.
Changes in election law have reduced the number of directly-elected legislators so Hong Kong’s pro-ruling committee can name representatives more acceptable to Beijing
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement:
Since taking office, the Biden Administration has been clear that we, alongside our allies and partners, strongly oppose the PRC’s wielding of the National Security Law to deny basic rights and freedoms, assault Hong Kong’s autonomy, and undermine its remaining democratic processes and institutions.
Given the politically motivated arrests and trials, the silencing of the media, and the diminishing the space for elections and democratic opposition, we will continue to take steps in support of people in Hong Kong.Secretary of State Antony Blinken added, “Despite widespread demonstrations, which brought millions together to call for greater freedom, Hong Kong’s promise of democracy has dimmed.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry bristled at the visa extensions, saying President Biden had “slandered and smeared Hong Kong’s national security law, nakedly intervened in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and blatantly trampled on international law and the basic norms of international relations”.
It declared that people in Hong Kong and China would challenge “shameless political manipulation” which is “doomed to failure”.
