Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam closes ranks with China, flays US

Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday closed ranks with China and condemned the US Senate’s passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA), which she lambasted as unnecessary and unjustified.

Lam said in a press conference that the US legislation would have an impact on the city’s economic development by undermining confidence and creating an unstable environment for Hong Kong-based businesses, reports Efe news.

“This is completely unnecessary and very regrettable,” Lam said. “For now, it undermines confidence; it creates an unstable environment.”

The leader of the Chinese semi-autonomous region added that US firms were also concerned, as they too might be affected by the law.

“All this is creating uncertainty and won’t go well for any economic development,” Lam said.

She described the HKHRDA as clear interference by Washington in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, echoing the stance of Beijing, which on Monday responded by banning the stopover of US military ships and aircraft in the city and imposed sanctions on several non-governmental organizations and human rights groups.

“We will follow the law in supporting the central government and we will follow up on the measures they take,” said Lam.

The Chief Executive also criticized the American law for suggesting that the rights of Hong Kong residents were being violated and stressed that they enjoyed the freedom of the press, religious liberty, and freedom of assembly. (IANS)

Also Read: Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam vows to ‘listen humbly to public’

Also Watch: Burglary in Guwahati, Gold ornaments worth several lakhs looted