
American outcry over Hong Kong’s mass sentencing heightens tensions with China, spotlighting the severe impact on global democracy.
At a Glance
- U.S. lawmakers like Chris Smith and Nancy Pelosi condemned Hong Kong’s sentencing of 45 activists.
- Sentences were related to arrests from 2020 democratic primaries.
- International reaction includes criticism from the European Union, United Nations, and other governments.
- U.S. legislators consider sanctions against Hong Kong officials.
Lawmakers Rally Against Judiciary Clampdown in Hong Kong
Representatives Chris Smith and Nancy Pelosi spoke out sharply against Hong Kong’s sentencing of 45 political prisoners under China’s national security law. Their united condemnation reflects a robust American response to what is perceived as Beijing’s erosion of democratic principles, having evoked significant international concern about the broader implications for freedom in Hong Kong.
The latest judicial crackdown links back to 2020 when arrests were made following Hong Kong’s citizens defying the CCP by holding democratic primary elections. Legal scholar Benny Tai was hit hardest, receiving a 10-year sentence for alleged “subversion conspiracy.” His case epitomizes the CCP’s relentless pursuit to silence dissent, seen as a test case for future Chinese approaches to liberty.
International Outcry
Pro-democracy advocates, including exiled activists, added weight to these concerns at press conferences in the U.S., underscoring CCP’s enduring grip on power in Hong Kong. Smith pressed the U.S. to enact the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act, which aims to counter CCP narratives within U.S. borders.
“We are outraged about what [Chinese communist leader] Xi Jinping and his cronies are doing with the great people of Hong Kong, who are suffering on their dictatorship,” Smith said.
The State Department has not stood idle, announcing sanctions on certain Hong Kong officials, demanding the release of these political prisoners. It highlights an effort to maintain a stance against infringements on democratic freedoms. Still, it seems Hong Kong’s leaders, with China’s backing, remain undeterred in their approach.
As Speaker, I condemn the denial of bail to the peaceful democratic activists in Hong Kong, who were targeted & charged for exercising their rights. This action is an acceleration of Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong, against which Congress will continue to speak out.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 4, 2021
Upholding Democracy
The sentencing affront extends beyond Hong Kong or U.S. interests, sparking criticisms from the UK, European Union, Australia and international rights organizations. Former British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, articulated the broader sentiment, labeling the sentencing not only an affront to the people of Hong Kong but to democratic values globally.
“The sentencing of 45 of the 47 Hong Kong democrats is not only an affront to the people of Hong Kong, but those who value rights and freedoms around the world,” Patten said.
In an era where American voters and global citizens grow increasingly wary of governmental overreach, the developments in Hong Kong serve as a significant cautionary tale. While China fiercely justifies its actions as legal necessities for national security, the international community cannot ignore the critical need to uphold democracy, making it an imperative for those siding with American values to steadfastly support freedom’s persistence in Hong Kong.