US NSC, "China and Hong Kong to Be Treated Under One Country, One System"

US Raises Sanctions on China and Demands Repeal of Security Law
UK Also Announces Review of Possible One Country, Two Systems Violation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United States has declared that it will treat China, which has ultimately enacted the Hong Kong National Security Law, as "one country, one system." This is interpreted as signaling even stronger measures following the withdrawal of special preferential treatment for Hong Kong the previous day.

The U.S. White House National Security Council (NSC) issued a spokesperson statement on the 30th of last month (local time), immediately after the National People's Congress (NPC) of China passed the Hong Kong Security Law, stating, "Since Beijing is now treating Hong Kong as 'one country, one system,' the United States will do the same." It further urged, "We call on Beijing to immediately reverse course," demanding the withdrawal of China's Hong Kong Security Law. The NSC also warned, "Beijing's passage of the National Security Law violates the commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration (Hong Kong Handover Agreement)" and said, "We will take strong measures against those who suffocate Hong Kong's freedom and autonomy."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said in a statement that day, "It is a sad day for Hong Kong," adding, "The United States stands with the people of Hong Kong and will respond to the Chinese government's attacks on freedom of expression, the press, and the legislature." AFP news agency interpreted Pompeo's remarks as a warning of new U.S. countermeasures.

Not only the United States but also the United Kingdom, which formerly owned Hong Kong, opposed China's move, saying it violates the "one country, two systems" principle. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that day, "After closely examining the Hong Kong Security Law, we will review whether it conflicts with the Sino-British Joint Declaration and announce subsequent measures." Julian Braithwaite, the UK representative to Geneva, speaking on behalf of 27 countries including European nations, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland at the 44th UN Human Rights Council, urged "China and the Hong Kong government to reconsider the implementation of this law."

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