On the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong, the United States sighs that the 50-year commitment has not changed in half | international | CNA . Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Xu Whiting in Washington, 30) On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong’s sovereignty on July 1, US Secretary of State Blinken today lamented that the 50-year commitment is only halfway through, and that Beijing and Hong Kong and stressed that the Hong Kong authorities The people’s democratic participation and the basic free and independent media are destroyed, and he reiterated that the United States will stand by the people of Hong Kong.

On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong’s sovereignty, Anthony Blinken, National Security Council spokesman Adrian Watson and several members of Congress concerned about human rights issued statements one day after another, lamenting the loss of freedom and rights in Hong Kong. over the past few years.

Blinken said July 1 was originally the midway point of Hong Kong’s 50-year promise to maintain autonomy under “one country, two systems,” but now it appears that the Hong Kong government and Beijing authorities no longer respect democratic participation, fundamental freedoms and autonomy. The media as part of the promise.

Blinken noted that in 2019, millions of Hong Kong residents took to the streets to protest the anti-extradition law, but Beijing responded with the National Security Law, paving the way for the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and the destruction of people’s freedom. rights in the past two years.

For example, the authorities have imprisoned opposition figures, many of whom have been detained for more than a year; Hong Kong leaders also raided independent media institutions, closed museums, removed public works of art, weakened democratic institutions, delayed elections, banned memorial events, canceled the qualifications of existing members, etc.; Government officials also spread misinformation that local demonstrations are the work of foreign forces.

Blinken stressed that “all of the above measures are intended to deprive the people of Hong Kong of what they promised.” He reiterated that the United States will stand with the people of Hong Kong and call on the authorities to restore their promised freedoms.

Watson echoed Blinken’s comments, saying the actions of Beijing and the Hong Kong government undermine basic freedoms and the rules-based order that maintains global stability.

Watson noted that two years after the introduction of Hong Kong’s national security law, nearly all of Hong Kong’s democratic politicians had been detained or exiled; NGOs, trade unions, and human rights groups that opposed the government. The authorities also fear actions that were forced to dissolve or leave them in retaliation.

Watson criticized that the policies of the Chinese Communist Party have shaken Hong Kong’s system, rules and regulations, which have been the foundation of international trust and the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s role as a financial center. On the eve of the inauguration of Hong Kong’s new chief executive, Li Jiaxao, Watson reiterated that Hong Kong’s leaders must respect the rights and freedoms that Hong Kong people protect under the Basic Law.

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Democratic Representative James McGovern, who are the co-chairs of the US Congress and Executive Committee on China (CECC), also issued a joint statement saying they would continue to demand Hong Kong and China fulfill their international obligations, and the government would hold accountable any official who undermined human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. . (Editor: Yang Zhaoyan) 1110701