Van Hollen, Menendez, Risch, Colleagues on Anniversary of Hong Kong Handover, National Security Law

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and their Senate colleagues in releasing the following statement marking the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover and the 3rd anniversary of the Hong Kong “National Security Law.” Joining Senators Menendez and Risch, in addition to Senator Van Hollen, are Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).

“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its acolytes in the Hong Kong government continue their campaign of repression in a once vibrant and international city. They have arrested pro-democracy activists, prosecuted hundreds of political prisoners, obliterated a legislature chosen by the Hong Kong people, and pressured Hong Kong’s judicial system to align with Beijing’s political prerogatives. We remain especially concerned about the targeting and persecution of Jimmy Lai.

“The Hong Kong government is trying to convince the world that Hong Kong remains a critical and attractive international financial center, but that simply is not the case. The state-directed theft of Apple Daily sends a frightening signal to any international company doing business in Hong Kong. The vast majority of U.S. businesses report negative impacts from the ‘National Security Law,’ and Hong Kongers are making their preferences clear and leaving Hong Kong. Further, Hong Kong authorities are taking the ‘National Security Law’ beyond China’s borders to charge and intimidate individuals in the United States, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and elsewhere.

“We condemn the ‘National Security Law’ and related human rights abuses. The Hong Kong government should drop all sedition and ‘National Security Law’-related charges against Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong 47, Cardinal Joseph Zen, and others, and free all defendants immediately. The United States and our allies and partners will continue to hold the CCP and the Hong Kong government accountable for their destruction of Hong Kong’s freedom, autonomy, and rule of law.”