The Hong Kong government considers US sanctions against 11 high-ranking officials in mainland China and Hong Kong sneaky and shameless, said in a statement on the government website.
"the Government of the special administrative district of Hong Kong on 8 August sharply criticized so-called "sanctions" the government of the United States against 11 officials of the Central people’s government of the PRC and the SAR government as shameless and vile," the document reads.
It is emphasized that "the last measures of the U.S. government constitute gross and wanton interference in the internal Affairs of China, using Hong Kong as a pawn in the above Washington to create problems in us-China relations in the selfish interests of some American officials".
However, it is noted that the U.S. Congress and the White house, using the which began in June last year, anti-government protests in Hong Kong have adopted a number of laws and issued a decree, directed against the special administrative region under the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy.
"Many people, both local and worldwide, should be obvious and they should be outraged that the actions of the USA showing double standards and hypocrisy, not to mention gross violations of international laws and basic norms of international relations," it said in a statement.
The Hong Kong government is ready to support Beijing in the event of retaliation for U.S. sanctions against Chinese officials, the statement said.
"Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. Compliance and implementation of the principle of "One country, two systems" in the interests of the people of Hong Kong and represents the common aspiration of the entire Chinese people," the statement reads.
It is emphasized that the Hong Kong government "will fully support the Chinese Central government in taking countermeasures".
"the Approval of the US government that the introduction of so-called "sanctions" was a response to the entry into force of the law on national security in Hong Kong, is a weak excuse", – stated in the document.
However, the Hong Kong government strongly condemned the United States for intentional disclosure of personal information by government officials.
"This calling is regrettable step is not that other, as state-sanctioned Boxing (search and publication of personal or confidential information about a person without his consent or with malicious intent – ed), which is a serious violation of privacy and personal security. We reserve the right to take any necessary legal action" – markechesa in the document.
Earlier, the US Treasury imposed sanctions against 11 high-ranking officials in mainland China and Hong Kong. The list includes the head of administration of Hong Kong Carrie Lam, the police chief of Hong Kong is Chris Tang, Secretary for security John Lee, the Minister of justice Teresa Cheng, Director of the office for Affairs of Hong Kong and Macao under the state Council of China Xia BAOLONG, the head of the office of the Central government of the PRC in Hong Kong, Luo Huining and other.
The United States said that the imposed sanctions due to the fact that these people "to undermine the autonomy of Hong Kong limited the freedom of expression and Assembly of citizens of Hong Kong", according to a press release of the Ministry. In particular, the document mentions the law on the protection of national security of Hong Kong.
