HK Govt Condemns Latest 'so-called Sanctions'

The SAR government said on Tuesday that it strongly condemns "so-called sanctions" imposed by the United States on 14 vice chairmen of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) over the disqualification last month of four Hong Kong lawmakers.

In a statement, the government said there had been "months of malicious attempts" by officials in Washington to make use of incidents in Hong Kong to attack Beijing.

"The US government has clearly ignored the constitutional order of the HKSAR and the facts relevant to the NPCSC's decisions. The so-called 'sanctions' arbitrarily imposed by the US government smacks of political manipulation and double standards," the statement said.

"It is also blatant interference in the internal affairs of the PRC, violating international law and basic norms governing international relations."

The SAR authorities also said that Washington's acts are "resented by the people of Hong Kong and the whole nation".

As the latest US sanctions were announced on Monday night, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Beijing of an "unrelenting assault against Hong Kong’s democratic processes", saying it has gutted the Legislative Council, "rendering the body a rubber stamp devoid of meaningful opposition".

The disqualification last month of Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki, Alvin Yeung and Kenneth Leung prompted the resignation of the entire pan-democratic camp in Legco.