U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) today issued the following statement on the Chinese government and Communist Party’s escalating threats of violence against Hong Kong:
“The U.S. must make clear that China will face swift and severe consequences if Beijing carries out its threats of a violent crackdown with People’s Armed Police forces that are being pre-positioned near the city. The administration should make clear that China would not be able to retain the advantages that Hong Kong provides Beijing, including by revoking Hong Kong’s special status under U.S. law, restricting China’s use of capital markets and access to currency funding through Hong Kong banks, and imposing Global Magnitsky Actsanctions and other measures against Chinese officials and their interests.
“The U.S. must make clear that China will face swift and severe consequences if Beijing carries out its threats of a violent crackdown with People’s Armed Police forces that are being pre-positioned near the city. The administration should make clear that China would not be able to retain the advantages that Hong Kong provides Beijing, including by revoking Hong Kong’s special status under U.S. law, restricting China’s use of capital markets and access to currency funding through Hong Kong banks, and imposing Global Magnitsky Actsanctions and other measures against Chinese officials and their interests.