Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced late Tuesday sanctions for 24 more Chinese and Hong Kong officials for further curtailing democracy in the Asian financial hub.
Why it matters: Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan are due to meet this week in Alaska with senior Chinese officials in the first face-to-face discussions between diplomats from the U.S. and China since President Biden took office.
Driving the news: The sanctions were introduced under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and signed into law by then-President Trump last July over a national security law Beijing imposed on the former British colony.
- Blinken said in a statement the latest sanctions were designed to underscore "our deep concern" at China's legislature passing a resolution last week for more control over the city's elections — which he said would "unilaterally undermine Hong Kong’s electoral system."
What they're saying: "This action further undermines the high degree of autonomy promised to people in Hong Kong and denies Hong Kongers a voice in their own governance, a move that the United Kingdom has declared to be a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration," Blinken said.
- "A stable, prosperous Hong Kong that respects human rights, freedoms, and political pluralism serves the interests of Hong Kong, mainland China, and the broader international community.
- "The United States stands united with our allies and partners in speaking out for the rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong, and we will respond when [China] fails to meet its obligations."
Of note: Among those named on the updated sanctions list are Tam Yiu-chung, the Hong Kong congressional delegate who drafted the National Security Law.
Go deeper: White House expects a tough first meeting with China in Alaska
