Washington Retains HK's Status, But With Concerns

The United States said on Friday that Hong Kong will retain its special status, but warned in a new report that Beijing's increased meddling in the SAR is affecting the city's status as an international business centre.

"Growing political restrictions in Hong Kong may be straining the confidence of the international business community," the US State Department said in its ‘2019 Hong Kong Policy Act Report’. The act allows Washington to treat Hong Kong as a separate trade and customs entity.

It said US ties with Hong Kong remain broad and effective in many areas, providing significant benefits to the American economy and homeland security. But the report was also laced with concerns.

The report said apparent inconsistencies in the implementation of the Basic Law “increased local concerns that mainland central government policy is shifting toward diminished tolerance for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, mirroring the strengthening of authoritarian action inside mainland China in recent years.”

The report cited cases of restrictions being placed on political activities, the visa rejection of the Financial Times' Victor Mallet and non-renewal of an academic post to lawmaker Cheng Chung-tai among others as matters of concern.

“The tempo of mainland central government intervention in Hong Kong affairs – and actions by the Hong Kong government consistent with mainland direction – increased, accelerating negative trends seen in previous periods,” it said.

The denial of entry visas to Hong Kong for people who are critical of the Chinese Communist Party was also flagged up in the report.

"Hong Kong immigration authorities restricted entry to Hong Kong by individuals critical of the communist party of China, including Japanese politician Kenichiro Wada, whom pro-Beijing media outlets called an "anti-China rightist" for his support of Taiwan independence," it said.

"In addition to these documented cases, the US consulate general also received multiple reports of alleged harassment or intimidation of individuals affiliated with foreign NGOs, the press, or pro-democracy activists," it said.

The report also mentioned PLA soldiers engaging in debris removal after Typhoon Mangkhut devastated the city last year. "The Hong Kong government did not request assistance from the garrison," it noted.

The presence of mainland authorities in the city with the establishment of the joint immigration checkpoint at the West Kowloon express rail station was also mentioned.

"Mainland authorities have said the MPA [mainland port area] is considered to be mainland China for purposes of certain law enforcement activities, even while passengers are still inside the West Kowloon train station," it said.

The report comes after a US Congressional report cited similar concerns and the country's envoy in Hong Kong, Kurt Tong, in a speech aired some apprehensions. A team of US Congressmen were also in Hong Kong recently to meet lawmakers and officials to hear their views.

In response, the Hong Kong government issued a statement saying human rights and freedom are fully protected by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation.

The statement concluded by saying the government “reiterates that foreign governments should not interfere in any form in the internal affairs of the HKSAR”.

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