The United States is imposing sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and ten other senior officials for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy. The U.S. Treasury Department announced this on Friday.
The sanctions are in response to the introduction of the controversial Chinese Security Act, which allows Beijing to allow its own security services to operate in Hong Kong. Police Commissioner Chris Tang and Secretary of Justice Teresa Cheng will also be sanctioned.
The sanctions will freeze their assets in the United States and restrict their business transactions.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a law last month allowing sanctions to be imposed on individuals involved in Beijing’s attempts to “take away Hong Kong’s autonomy”.
The sanctions put further pressure on the relationship between China and America. The two countries are already embroiled in a trade war, which has recently spread to a battle for technology companies.
