Representatives Kinzinger and Malinowski Push for Freedom for Hong Kongers on the Two-year Anniversary of Beijing's Crackdown

Press Release

(Washington, DC) Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) released the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party's imposition of a massive crackdown in Hong Kong, eliminating their democratic freedoms and the rights that Beijing had promised to protect.

"It has been two long years since Beijing imposed a massive crackdown on Hong Kong's free people. Reality has been worse than our predictions: peaceful protesters are forced to escape by boat at night, owners of leading newspapers are jailed on trumped up charges, a single candidate handpicked by Beijing is imposed in a sham election. We urge our colleagues in the House and Senate to work with us to expeditiously pass our bipartisan bill that will simultaneously protect vulnerable Hongkongers and punish Beijing for its repression. We know this new law would be effective because Beijing has already told us they're scared of these measures. The only winner from Congress' failure to act has been the Chinese Communist Party. Let's do this."

"The Beijing regime has imposed the national security law to deny the Hong Kong people's basic political and civil rights, and created a serious human rights crisis. During the Hong Kong authorities' crackdown on the anti-extradition bill protests, more than 10,000 people were arrested, 2,800 prosecuted, and 1,100 were convicted. Additionally, more than 175 were arrested under the charge of Hong Kong's national security, and many were convicted and are awaiting trial. Representative Kinzinger and Malinowski's bipartisan legislation H.R.4276 is a much needed human rights emergency relief measure which can save tens of thousands of Hong Kong people's lives," said Dr. Jianli Yang, Founder and President, Citizen Power Initiatives for China.

"The legislation, championed by Rep. Kinzinger and Rep. Malinowski, will provide vital and urgent protections for Hong Kongers facing persecution and even life in prison for exercising their basic rights. Beijing is wiping out a generation of talented and freedom-loving Hong Kongers. Providing as many safe passages for them to the US is not only our moral obligation but also critical to America's economic competitiveness against the PRC. As we mark the 25th anniversary of the handover this week and the demise of 'one country two systems', passing this legislation is the most immediate and tangible action congress can take to show that they have not forgotten about Hong Kong," said Sam Chu of The Campaign for Hong Kong.

"All talented business, creative, and engineering minds seek a free environment in which to strive. And after the imposition of the National Security Law two years ago, Hong Kong has become a police state where smart, highly educated, and English-speaking Hongkongers eager to find a new home where they can breathe freely, prosper and contribute. We thank Congressman Kinzinger and Malinowski for leading the Hong Kong People's Freedom & Act, as a way to help the US compete against other liberal democracies in attracting these rare talents," said Stand with Hong Kong.

"For two years now, members from both parties and both chambers of Congress have been trying to pass an immigration bill for Hong Kongers in need. While the mass protests on the streets of Hong Kong have receded, the crackdown there continues ahead of the second anniversary of the National Security Law. This week, Chairman Xi Jinping will visit the territory to inaugurate a new chief executive, John Lee, ushering in a new era of political repression. I urge the House and the Senate to pass the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act. The support is broad, the urgency is enormous, and the potential benefits are real and immediate. I thank Congressmen Kinzinger and Malinowski for their work, and I hope Democratic and Republican leaders will agree to pass it -- whether as a standalone item or part of the America COMPETES Act," said Brian Leung, Executive Director, Hong Kong Democracy Council.

This week last year, the Representatives introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2021, to provide refuge and protection to Hong Kongers suffering under the Chinese government's tightening grip of repression. By providing a fast path to the United States for Hong Kong's entrepreneurs, scientists, and academics, the bill also puts the Chinese Communist Party on notice that if the crackdown on rights in Hong Kong deepens, they risk losing the very people who have built Hong Kong's economic success. The bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives in the 116th Congress and was passed in the 117th as part of the America COMPETES Act.

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