This Sunday (19) the new Hong Kong government appointed by Beijing consists of four officials who are subject to sanctions by the United States.

John Lee said he “laughed at the so-called sanctions” on Sunday while introducing his government team to the press and said he didn’t pay attention to them.

“Some savage countries are trying to intimidate Hong Kong officials with measures such as sanctions. Especially after their plans to sabotage our national security failed. Thank you to the measures we have implemented,” he said.

Washington has sanctioned 11 officials in response to the harsh National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 by China to put an end to mass pro-democracy demonstrations.

Seven of these officials were already members of the government at the time, and four will continue to serve in the new Executive. These are: head of government John Lee; Security Minister Chris Tang; Erick Tsang, Head of Continental Affairs; and the new managing director, Eric Chan.

Three others, including former CEO Carrie Lam, have left their posts.

The appointment of 26 members of the next government took place two weeks before the date of his inauguration on July 1, the anniversary of this former British colony’s return to China. The presence of Chinese President Xi Xiping at this ceremony has not yet been confirmed.

Lee, 64, a former Hong Kong security chief, oversaw the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement and was appointed in May this year by a small “election committee” attached to the central government under the new electoral system designed by Beijing. He was the only candidate to replace Lam.