Opinion

Hong Kong must protest loudly against the US Human Rights and Democracy Act or live with being ‘just another Chinese city’

By calling Hong Kong’s status as a separate jurisdiction into question, the act strikes at the heart of the city’s economy

Hong Kong’s access to US technology and Western data, and its role in the Greater Bay Area, are under threat

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A man waves a US flag as protesters attend a rally in Central, Hong Kong, on October 14, calling on US politicians to pass a bill that could alter Washington’s relationship with the trading hub. Photo: AFP

Alejandro Reyes is an adjunct professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration and senior fellow at the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at The University of Hong Kong.

Published: 1:00am, 5 Nov 2019Updated: 4:46am, 5 Nov 2019

The US Congress is poised to pass two pieces of legislation relating to Hong Kong – the Protect Hong Kong Act and the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The former would prevent sales of anti-riot weapons and equipment to the Hong Kong police. Fair enough – a ban will make American legislators feel good, though the Hong Kong force would easily find other sources for those items.

Of real concern for Hong Kong is the other bill, which would require the US State Department to assess annually whether the special administrative region exercises the high degree of autonomy from mainland China that it is guaranteed under the Basic Law.

If the finding is that such autonomy is lacking, then the US could impose sanctions on Hong Kong and on individuals deemed to be involved in curtailing Hongkongers’ freedoms.

It would also allow the US government to withdraw recognition of Hong Kong’s special status as a jurisdiction separate from the mainland that should be treated accordingly, as stipulated in the Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992.