"United States Senators to Propose Bill Sanctioning Chinese Officials Over Hong Kong Security Law"

Wall Street Journal

Senators to Propose Bill Sanctioning Chinese Officials Over Hong Kong Security Law

Legislation also would penalize banks that do business with the entities.

By Lindsay Wise

May 21, 2020

WASHINGTON—U.S. senators are introducing a bipartisan bill that would sanction Chinese party officials and entities who enforce the new national-security laws in Hong Kong, and the legislation also would penalize banks that do business with the entities.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen(D., Md.) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa) said they had been working on the bill, which aims to defend human rights in Hong Kong and pressure China to preserve the territory’s special status. They said Thursday’s developments made the legislation more urgent, and they will press Senate leaders to take up the matter quickly.

Earlier Thursday, China signaled it will impose new national-security laws on Hong Kong, dealing a blow to the territory’s autonomy as Beijing moves to stop widespread pro-democracy protests that have challenged leader Xi Jinping.

“We would impose penalties on individuals who are complicit in China’s illegal crackdown in Hong Kong,” Mr. Van Hollen said. He called the move by Beijing “a gross violation” of China’s agreement with the U.K. to preserve more freedom and autonomy in the territory.

Mr. Toomey called the move by China “very, very deeply disturbing.”

Last year, President Trump signed a bill designed to show solidarity with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, despite expressing concerns it could complicate U.S.-China trade talks.