US sanctions 6 over Hong Kong security crackdown

In one of its first major foreign policy moves, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on six senior officials from China and Hong Kong for their roles in what it calls "transnational repression'' and undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.

The US State Department announced on Monday that the individuals had used the controversial national security law — legislation which gives the Hong Kong government more power to crush dissent — to target pro-democracy activists, including Americans.

According to the statement, Beijing and Hong Kong authorities were accused of extending the reach of the law beyond their borders to "intimidate, silence, and harass'' 19 activists living abroad — among them, one US citizen and four US residents.

Those sanctioned include Dong Jingwei, a former high-ranking official in China's civilian intelligence agency who now heads Beijing's Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong.

Previously, Dong was known as China's chief counterintelligence official, tasked with tracking foreign spies and dissidents.

The other officials targeted are Sonny Au, Dick Wong, Margaret Chiu, Raymond Siu — Hong Kong's police commissioner — and Paul Lam, the city's secretary for justice.

Lawmakers and activists applaud the move

The sanctions, issued under a 2020 executive order first signed by US President Donald Trump during his first term, freezes any assets the individuals may have in the United States and bar American entities from conducting financial transactions with them.

Authorities in Washington described the move as a response to continued erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong, particularly following the enforcement of the national security law in 2020.

The law, which allows for life imprisonment for acts like subversion or collusion with foreign forces, was imposed after massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. While Chinese officials claim the law has restored order, Western governments — including the US — argue it has been used to imprison opposition figures, dismantle media outlets, and restrict civil society.

The sanctions were welcomed by advocacy groups, including Frances Hui of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, who called the action "a critical step in addressing the worsening crackdown.'' She urged the US to extend accountability measures to include judicial actors complicit in silencing dissent.

As of now, China's embassy in Washington has not issued a response. However, Chinese authorities have repeatedly defended the security law as essential for national stability and sovereignty.

Edited by John Silk