Us Congress House Bill HR636

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/28/23
• Refer: 7/28/23

Caption

Condemning Beijing's destruction of Hong Kong's democracy and rule of law.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the dire consequences of the national security law, which has been used since its enactment in June 2020 to target peaceful demonstrators and suppress freedoms of expression, assembly, and speech. Notably, individuals such as Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Zen have faced politically motivated charges under this law. The resolution calls for accountability and an urgent need to recognize the erosion of international credibility for Hong Kong as a financial center due to these abuses. The document highlights the necessity of employing all available measures to defend democratic values and human rights in the region.

Summary

HR636 is a resolution condemning the actions of the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in undermining democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong. The resolution asserts that since the handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule in 1997, the PRC has eroded the region's autonomy and fundamental rights, leading to widespread public dissent, epitomized by significant protests in 2014 and 2019. These protests were primarily a response to perceived threats to democracy, which the PRC has countered with aggressive measures, including the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law.

Contention

The resolution illustrates a significant geopolitical tension, as it invites other democracies to condemn the PRC's actions, which could lead to diplomatic repercussions. Critics may argue that such a resolution fails to offer a viable path forward for Hong Kong, instead potentially escalating conflicts with the PRC. Additionally, the resolution aims to address the perception of international institutions where Hong Kong still maintains separate voting rights from mainland China, while simultaneously acknowledging the growing influence of the PRC in those forums. Overall, the adoption of HR636 signals a unified stance by the U.S. Congress against the PRC’s policies in Hong Kong.