US Issues Hong Kong Security Law Warning from NSC Following Commerce and State Departments

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. White House National Security Council (NSC) has warned that it will take strong countermeasures against China's enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

On the 30th (local time), the NSC said in a spokesperson's statement, "Since Beijing now treats Hong Kong as 'one country, one system,' the United States must do the same." The NSC also stated, "We urge Beijing to immediately reverse course," demanding the withdrawal of China's Hong Kong Security Law.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The NSC said, "Beijing's passage of the National Security Law violates the commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration," and added, "The United States will continue to take strong actions against those who suffocate Hong Kong's freedom and autonomy."

Despite strong warnings from the United States, China passed the Hong Kong Security Law unanimously through the 13th National People's Congress Standing Committee meeting and began enforcing the law at 11 p.m. local time on the same day.

The NSC's warning came following warnings from the State Department and the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce announced the previous day that it would revoke Hong Kong's special status due to China's Hong Kong Security Law. It also indicated that additional measures are under consideration.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also stated in a statement the previous day that the U.S. would halt exports of defense articles to Hong Kong and take measures to stop exports of dual-use technologies for civilian and military purposes to Hong Kong. He further expressed the U.S. stance to respond to China's pressure, which threatened reciprocal actions if the U.S. restricts visas of officials involved in the Hong Kong Security Law.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.