This archive report was first published on 8 August 2020.
China-US Ties Plunge Further Over Hong Kong Sanctions ¶
On August 8, 2020, China slammed the United States for imposing 'barbarous' sanctions in response to Beijing's crackdown in Hong Kong, capping a dramatic week of deteriorating relations between the world's two biggest economies.
The US Treasury Department announced it was freezing the US assets of Chief Executive Carrie Lam and 10 other senior officials, including Luo Huining — the head of the Liaison Office. The move criminalises any US financial transactions with the sanctioned officials.
China's new security law in Hong Kong came after the city was shaken by massive pro-democracy protests. Since then, Hong Kong authorities have postponed elections, citing the coronavirus pandemic, issued arrest warrants for six exiled pro-democracy activists and launched a crackdown on other activists.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the security law violated promises made by China ahead of Hong Kong's 1997 handover that the city could keep key freedoms and autonomy for 50 years.
The US measures come three months ahead of the November election in which President Donald Trump is campaigning hard on an increasingly strident anti-Beijing message.
On Thursday, Trump made good on previous threats against WeChat and TikTok — two Chinese-owned apps with major audiences that US officials say pose a national security threat.
