Hong Kong leader supports retaliatory sanctions law

Hong Kong's leader has voiced support for legislation allowing retaliatory sanctions, after the U.S. and other Western governments punished city officials over the ongoing crackdown on democracy activists

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam voiced support Tuesday for legislation allowing retaliatory sanctions after the U.S. and other Western governments punished city officials over the ongoing crackdown on democracy activists. Lam said the anti-foreign sanctions law should be adopted in Hong Kong via local legislation, rather than imposed by Beijing, and said she'd told the Chinese government about her views. China's broad anti-sanctions law was imposed in June. Anyone hit with retaliatory sanctions could be subject to visa restrictions, having their assets seized or frozen and a ban on doing business with any Chinese company or individual in China. The law comes after the U.S. slapped sanctions on dozens of Chinese and Hong Kong officials — including Lam — over their role in suppressing Hong Kong’s autonomy.