U.S. Sanctions Six Individuals for Undermining Hong Kong’s Autonomy
Washington, D.C. (Mar. 31, 2025) — In response to the U.S. sanctions on six individuals who have engaged in actions or policies that undermined Hong Kong’s autonomy and their involvement in acts of transnational repression — HKDC issues the following statement.
From Anna Kwok, HKDC’s Executive Director:
“We thank the U.S. government for taking this long-awaited step in response to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) government’s relentless campaign of repression, including the issuance of arrest warrants accompanied by HK$1 million bounties against Hong Kong overseas activists. To date, 19 pro-democracy activists — including my colleagues Carmen Lau, Ted Hui, and myself — have been maliciously targeted in this transnational repression campaign, justified by the extraterritorial reach of the National Security Law.”
“Hong Kongers — on the ground and around the world — have been subjected to ongoing harassment and surveillance. In an escalation of transnational repression, anonymous letters encouraging the bounty hunting of wanted activists have been recently circulated. In addition, friends, colleagues, and family members of these individuals have been unjustly detained and interrogated by national-security agents in Hong Kong — a vicious intimidation tactic from Beijing’s playbook of fears.”
“HKDC reiterates both our absolute denunciation of the Hong Kong S.A.R. government’s actions as well as our continued, unwavering support for all pro-democracy Hong Kongers. The U.S. sanctions on these six individuals send a strong message that perpetrators of transnational repression would be held accountable: repressive actions must be met with consequences. We call on governments worldwide to take comprehensive actions to protect the rights of Hong Kongers and to deter further attacks on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.”
