US targets Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam in new sanctions reports

The United States on Wednesday issued its first report mandated to Congress under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, renewing pressure against Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, but stopped short of imposing sanctions on banks. The new law is aimed at making the tightening restrictions on Hong Kong, the financial hub for Beijing. 

The US State Department said the report “underscores our ongoing objection to Beijing’s actions that are intentionally designed to erode the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and impose the CCP’s oppressive policies,” referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

The law comes as an aftermath of a security law imposed by China on Hong Kong, which was promised a separate system when Britain handed the territory back to Beijing in 1997.

The US Treasury Department added 10 people to its blacklist of “Specially Designated Nationals”, including Lam, who will be subject to sanctions. 

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The United States had already imposed several sanctions under separate authorities against the Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader, and the nine others in August. The sanctions restrict them to have any US-based financial transactions. 

The Hong Kong Autonomy Act goes further than previous US efforts by laying the groundwork for sanctions in the world’s largest economy against banks seen as abetting the clampdown in the city.

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The release of the report had been closely watched in Hong Kong for signs that the United States could tighten the screws on major banks.

Lam has denounced the US sanctions but acknowledged in August that they have caused her “a little bit of inconvenience” by hindering her use of credit cards.

Other officials targeted by the sanctions include Luo Huining, the director of the Liaison Office that represents Beijing in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong’s police commissioner, Chris Tang.