National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said Sunday that the U.S. is “investigating further options” after more than 50 activists were arrested in Hong Kong.
O’Brien last week described about 55 arrests, the largest mass arrest since China introduced a new national security law in Hong Kong, as “politicized” and “the last of many consecutive nails that Beijing has put in the coffin of Hong Kong democracy” drove ‘. . ”
“The United States was the first major country with the courage and conviction to honestly acknowledge the true nature of the CCP regime,” O’Brien said in a statement. “It is critical that nations around the world demand accountability from Beijing.”
“The world can not continue to pay high prices for its naivety and complicity in Beijing’s irresponsible and harmful practices – whether it is the end of the rule of law in Hong Kong or not cooperating with health officials over the pandemic,” he continued. “The United States is exploring further options to respond.”
The national security adviser said President Trump
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US, Australian, Canadian and British officials condemns the arrests in a joint statement Dated Saturday.
“It is clear that the national security law is being used to eliminate differences of opinion and opposing political views,” the diplomats said. “We call on the central authorities of Hong Kong and the Chinese to respect the legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong without fear and arrest.”
The joint declaration was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mike Pompeo
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Most of those arrested were detained for participating in an unofficial by-election for a since delayed legislative election, which officials say disobeyed the law. A total of three were released on bail The Associated Press.
China last year endorsed the national security law, which is intended to criminalize foreign interference, undermining and secession. Western governments and activists in Hong Kong have downplayed the law, saying it jeopardizes the “one nation, two systems” rule that China agreed to when it took control of Hong Kong in 1997.
Hong Kong officials criticized the joint letter from foreign officials, saying: “We are upset about comments from some overseas government officials that people with certain political beliefs should be immune from legal sanctions.”
The national security law was passed more than a year after protests in Hong Kong shocked the city over a bill that has now been withdrawn, making it possible to extradite suspects to China.