Beijing named Hong Kong’s next government on Sunday, which includes four senior officials sanctioned by Washington.
The United States has imposed sanctions on eleven Hong Kong and Chinese officials in response to the draconian national security law imposed in 2020 by Beijing on the financial center to end the huge pro-democracy demonstrations.
Seven were members of the financial hub government and four of them will remain in the new administration, including new Chief Executive John Lee, Security Minister Chris Tang, Mainland Affairs Minister Erick Tsang and the new Administration Minister Eric Chan.
The other three were outgoing leader Carrie Lam, retired police chief Steven Lo and minister responsible for justice Teresa Cheng, who will be replaced.
As part of the sanctions, Ms Lam claimed to be forced to receive her salary in cash due to banking restrictions.
Presenting his new cabinet to the press on Sunday, Mr. Lee said make fun of the so-called sanctions and pay them no attention.
Some bully countries tried to intimidate officials [hongkongais] with measures like sanctions, especially after their plots to sabotage our national security failed due to the measures we deployedadded the future leader.
This has made us more determined to continue fulfilling our duties of defending national security..
Presence of Xi Jinping to be confirmed
The appointments of the 26 members of the next government come less than two weeks before he takes office on July 1, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the return of the former British colony to China.
The presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of this commemoration has not yet been confirmed. The trip would mark the president’s first trip outside mainland China since the start of the pandemic.
Mr. Lee, 64, the former head of Hong Kong security, who had overseen the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement, was appointed in early May by a small electoral committee loyal to Beijing under a new electoral system wanted by the central power.
He was the only candidate to succeed outgoing leader Carrie Lam.
The central government fully trusts youMr. Xi had assured Mr. Lee, during a late May visit to Beijing.
He greeted his courage to take responsibility and to have helped safeguard national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
France Media Agency
Source: Radio-Canada
