US House Vote Puts HK Special Status At Risk

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act has been passed by the US House of Representatives and now looks certain to also gain quick approval by the Senate. Passage of the bill into American law threatens Hong Kong's special status with regard to the US unless Beijing satisfies Washington that it is honouring the spirit of one country, two systems.

Introduced in June at the start of the anti-extradition protests, the bill will require the US government to assess whether political developments here justify Washington continuing to treat Hong Kong as a separate trading entity from the rest of China

It also requires the US president to identify and sanction people who are responsible for the erosion of autonomy and serious abuses of human rights in Hong Kong.

"The House just sent a strong message to the people of Hong Kong: We stand with you in the fight for democracy and justice," said Ben Ray Lujan, a House Democrat.

Republican House member Mario Diaz-Balart said the Act ensures "that the special relationship with Hong Kong endures only as long as Hong Kong retains the autonomy and freedoms that justify that special relationship."

The bill was passed in a unanimous voice vote in the House less than 24 hours after Chief Executive Carrie Lam lashed out at one of its sponsors, US senator Josh Hawley. She was incensed after he said that Hong Kong was sliding towards becoming a police state at the conclusion of his visit here on Monday.

The house also passed a bill that would ensure that US weapons, including tear gas and rubber bullets, are not being used against protesters by police, and a resolution recognising Hong Kong's bilateral relationship with the US. Amnesty International has accused the city's officers of using excessive force, although the police say they have exercised restraint.

All three were approved on voice votes.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the bills important reminders of US support for human rights in the face of significant commercial interests in China.

The legislation has bipartisan support in both the Congress and Senate.

Its passage comes just a day after a huge rally in Hong Kong in which tens of thousands turned out to support the legislation.

In a statement, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman expressed strong indignation and firm opposition to the vote, a stance backed by mainland state media.

The official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, the People's Daily, said it blatantly backed up Hong Kong violent radicals and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs.

It said the biggest danger in such a move was that it sent the wrong message to Hong Kong rioters.

The Hong Kong government expressed regret over the vote, saying the one country, two systems principle has been fully and successfully implemented.

It said the government would continue to implement the principle resolutely in accordance with the Basic Law.

(With additional reporting by AP and AFP)