Posted on 05/27/2020 9:49:16 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State of Mike Pompeo notified Congress on Wednesday that the Trump administration no longer regards Hong Kong as autonomous from mainland China.
The notice sets the stage for the U.S. to withdraw preferential trade and financial status that the former British colony has enjoyed since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.
“Hong Kong does not continue to warrant treatment under United States laws in the same manner as U.S. laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997," Pompeo said in a statement.
Pompeo’s decision was not accompanied by a revocation of any specific privileges but comes amid calls for the U.S. and others to react against Beijing’s move to impose Chinese national security laws over the territory.
“Beijing’s disastrous decision is only the latest in a series of actions that fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms and China’s own promises to the Hong Kong people under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a UN-filed international treaty,” Pompeo said. “No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground.”
Pompeo's certification to Congress is required by the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support last year. The law requires the U.S. to impose sanctions against officials held responsible human rights abuses in Hong Kong as well as determine whether the city continues to warrant special status.
Under the terms of the Sino-British declaration, Hong Kong was to have enjoyed significant autonomy from the communist government in Beijing for 50 years starting in 1997. That autonomy was to have included protections for free speech and self-rule under what China has termed a “one country, two systems” policy.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
wtf????
A sell-out of HK? There are nearly 8 million people there
Accepting reality
It’s not a sell-out. Hong Kong isn’t Taiwan. Hong Kong is part of China and we were giving that part of China very favorable treatment. President Trump is putting the screws to China by no longer giving them that sweet deal.
People waving American Flags protest is not what the elites want, here or China.
As the President and Sec Pompeo know, China is no pretending that it's not at war against the free world.
Taiwan is another story. It’s going to get hairy.
“A sell-out of HK?”
No. Anymore preferential treatment for Hong Kong is now adhering to the CCP.
It has always been a matter of time before the CCP cracks down on Hong Kong, as was widely predicted when the British withdrew.
The next active target of the CCP is Taiwan. That is where the line has to be drawn.
Taiwan’s military is bit more formidable than what Hong Kong has.
It won’t be a walk in the park for the ChiComs.
« Mourir pour Taiwan ? »
We didn't sell them out. We're just recognizing reality and not playing the fool anymore.
This is not our fight. Taiwan may be though!
Let their previous Owners the Brits make a stink if they want to.
Hopefully only chicoms.
I was in Hong Kong for the change over in ‘97. I feel sad about this.
So what? China controls it. No need to give it any special economic advantage any longer.
China will get them too. It is inevitable result of decades of permissive, weak behavior by the U.S. and treason by the Clintons and others. All it takes is one weak Democrat president and it's over.
“Beijing’s disastrous decision is only the latest in a series of actions that fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms and China’s own promises to the Hong Kong people under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a UN-filed international treaty,” Pompeo said. “No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground.”
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Which means the treaty that allowed China to administer Hong Kong is broken.
Legally Hong Kong us now independent and China are illegal occupiers.
Kelly Craft earlier tweeted this
https://mobile.twitter.com/USUN/status/1263985360956272642
It’s Time for her to bring it up now in the UN.
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