China is introducing sanctions against a number of US non-governmental organisations, including Human Rights Watch in retaliation for a US bill banning the export of crowd control weapons to Hong Kong police and supporting demonstrators in the city, the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
"Recently, the United States passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, ignoring China's protest on the matter. This is a serious violation of international law and basic principles of international relations, as well as interference in China's internal affairs. Beijing has already lodged a protest with the United States over the matter. This time, China has decided to introduce sanctions on several US non-governmental organisations, including NDI [National Democratic Institute], Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House”, spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
The Foreign Ministry added that China had suspended a review of a request for visits by US naval vessels and aircraft to the territory. Asked when Beijing would resume its review of such requests, Hua said that it would "depend of further steps by the US".
Hong Kong Bill
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 and another law prohibiting US exports of specified police equipment to Hong Kong. The acts amended existing legislation to allow for the possibility of sanctions on human rights offenders in China's special administrative region and an annual assessment of the developments there to determine the level of Hong Kong’s autonomy from China — the US treats Hong Kong as a separate trade entity and therefore must ensure that the city retains its autonomy.
The Hong Kong authorities called the US laws obvious unfounded meddling in the region's affairs, saying it might harm US-Hong Kong relations and interests.
Hong Kong Protests
Hong Kong has been gripped by violent protests since June. The demonstrations were initially a response to an extradition bill but the legislation was officially withdrawn in October.
The protests continued with demonstrators claiming that the authorities have used excessive force to suppress them, something denied by the government. Nearly 4,500 people have been detained and more than 1,500 people have been hospitalised. Additionally, more than 400 security personnel have been injured in the unrest as well.
Beijing has repeatedly insisted that the situation in Hong Kong is a result of foreign interference in China's domestic affairs and expressed full support for the local authorities.
