5th August 2021 – (Washington) US President Biden signed a memorandum on Thursday (5th) criticising China’s unilateral implementation of the “Hong Kong National Security Law”, which continues to undermine Hong Kongers’ rights and freedoms, and decided to extend the period of stay of some Hong Kong residents in the United States to 18 months to provide them with a temporary safe haven.
Biden emphasised that he will not stand idly by China’s breach of its commitment to Hong Kong and the international community, and will continue to support the people of Hong Kong. Biden instructed the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to take appropriate measures to suspend the repatriation of some Hong Kong residents who are eligible for extended stays except those who have committed a felony in the United States, affected public safety and those who are under extradition etc. The Department of Homeland Security will provide employment and student visa assistance to qualified persons, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he will take action against China and the Hong Kong government to stifle democracy.
The White House stated that China undermined Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms protected by Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in June last year, the Hong Kong police have continued to carry out political arrests, detaining at least 100 opposition politicians and protesters, etc., criticising China for continuously infringing Hong Kong’s autonomy since last year and destroying the remaining democratic system. It also restricts academic freedom and suppresses freedom of speech.
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