US Announcement Is Tragic But Necessary: Demosisto

Demosisto said a likely suspension or abolition of Hong Kong’s zero-tariff status and other US sanctions are a “tragic but necessary step”, blaming Beijing for the measures and saying it “sold out Hong Kong” with the planned introduction of a national security law.

Speaking outside the Central Government Offices on Thursday, the group urged Beijing not to implement the national security law in Hong Kong and erode the SAR’s autonomy.

Demosisto said their understanding from American political circles is that President Donald Trump could be considering partial economic sanctions under an act that was previously adopted to punish countries like North Korea and Iran.

The group's secretary-general Joshua Wong said under this act, things like technological products used by both civilians and armed forces could be affected.

Demosisto said it thinks the actions could come in one to two weeks.

Wong said he believes travel and student visas for regular Hongkongers are unlikely to be affected by new American policies.

But he said the economic sanctions would undoubtedly put pressure on Hong Kong's "red capital" from the mainland.

Demosisto's former lawmaker Nathan Law said that American politicians would not have reacted so strongly if Beijing did not move to impose the national security law, and that the Hong Kong government should shoulder all the blame for the current saga.