What’s new: Luo Huining, director at Chinese central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said Saturday that Washington’s sanction against him was a “complete waste of energy” because he has no assets abroad.
“Being included in the U.S.’ sanction list just demonstrated that I did what I should do for the country and for Hong Kong. I haven’t a single penny overseas, aren’t the sanctions a complete waste of effort? ” Luo said in a statement (link in Chinese) released by the liaison office on Saturday.
“Of course, I could mail Mr. Trump $100 for him to freeze,” he said in a sarcastic tone.
The background: Luo’s comments came a day after the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions Friday on 11 Chinese officials, including Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, for “undermining” the special administrative region’s autonomy.
The U.S. Treasury said in a statement that the sanctions will include freezing the individuals’ assets in the U.S. Other officials on the list include Luo Huining, and Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.
Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Marcus Ryder (marcusryder@caixin.com)
