President Biden Offers Shelter For Hong Kongers, China: Extremely Interfering In Domestic Affairs

Illustration of a pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong. (Wikimedia Commons/Studio Incendo)

JAKARTA - US President Joe Biden has offered temporary shelter to Hong Kong residents in the US, allowing thousands of people to extend their stays in reaction to Beijing's pressure on democracy in Hong Kong.

In a memo issued Thursday 5 August local time, President Biden asked the Department of Homeland Security to apply a repatriation delay of up to 18 months for Hong Kong residents currently in the United States on "forced foreign policy" grounds.

"Over the past year, the PRC has continued its assault on Hong Kong's autonomy, undermining remaining democratic processes and institutions, imposing limits on academic freedoms and cracking down on press freedom," President Joe Biden said in the memo, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China. Reuters Friday 6 August.

President Biden said offering Hong Kong residents safe havens continued US interests in the region. The United States will not waver in supporting the people of Hong Kong, he said.

Illustration of Hong Kong residents protesting the New Security Law. (Wikimedia Commons/Studio Incendo)

It is not clear how many people will be affected by the move, but most Hong Kong residents currently in the United States are expected to qualify, according to a senior administration official.

The White House said the move made clear the United States' stance that it will not stand idly by when China breaks its promises to Hong Kong and to the international community."

"Those who qualify can also apply for work permits," said US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

Following President Biden's decision, US lawmakers have been seeking legislation that would make it easier for people from Hong Kong to gain US refugee status if they fear persecution after joining protests against China.

"The PRC has fundamentally changed the foundation of Hong Kong's institutions," Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said in a statement, noting that Chinese and Hong Kong authorities had arbitrarily postponed scheduled elections, disqualified lawmakers, undermined press freedom and arrested more of 10,000 people.

Menu Blinken said Washington is joining forces with allies to offer cover, in keeping with the Biden administration's push to fight China together with like-minded partners.

Meanwhile, when asked about the prospect of permanent residency, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Hong Kong residents could still be referred for consideration to the US Refugee Admissions Program.

Illustration of pro-democracy demonstration in Hong Kong. (Unsplash/Josep Chan)

The decision is the latest in a series of actions the President has taken to tackle what his administration calls the erosion of the rule of law in the former British colony, which was returned to Beijing in 1997.

Last July, the U.S. Government imposed multiple sanctions on Chinese officials in Hong Kong, warning companies about the risks of operating under a national security law that China implemented last year to criminalize what it considers subversion, secession, terrorism, or collusion with foreign forces. Read more

Critics say the law facilitates a crackdown on pro-democracy and press freedom activists, even though Beijing has agreed to allow considerable political autonomy in Hong Kong for 50 years.

Separately, China retaliated against US action last month by imposing sanctions on a number of US citizens, including sanctions against former US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross.

Meanwhile, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington Liu Pengyu said the US characterization of the situation in Hong Kong was 'black and white confusing'. He also said the new national security law had created a safer environment and protected freedoms.

"Such a move ignores and distorts facts, and greatly interferes in China's internal affairs," he criticized, referring to the US announcement.