US To Impose Fresh Visa Curbs On Hong Kong Officials Over Rights Crackdown

The United States plans to implement new visa restrictions on Hong Kong officials involved in suppressing rights and freedoms in the city, following the enforcement of a national security law, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

This action is in response to Beijing's actions against Hong Kong's autonomy and democratic institutions, highlighted by the recent implementation of "Article 23." The specifics of the visa restrictions and the officials targeted were not disclosed.

This measure follows a U.S. review that concluded Hong Kong no longer warrants the same treatment as before its 1997 handover from Britain to China, leading to previous visa restrictions and the revocation of Hong Kong's special trade status by the U.S. China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong condemned the U.S. move as interference.

Additionally, Radio Free Asia, a US government-funded news service, announced the closure of its Hong Kong office due to safety concerns for its staff after the new law's enactment.