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US Bars Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee from APEC Summit Over Sanctions for Enforcing Beijing's Security Law
Washington's decision sparks tensions with Beijing, while offering potential diplomatic opportunity for US-China relations.
The United States has declared that Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, will not be invited to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for November. The decision comes as a result of Lee facing US sanctions due to his involvement in enforcing Beijing's controversial national security law in the Chinese territory. The exclusion of the city's top official from the prestigious summit is expected to escalate tensions between the US and China, further complicating already troubled relations.
San Francisco has been chosen as the venue for this year's APEC gathering, where leaders from member economies convene to discuss regional cooperation and economic matters. Despite being a member of APEC, Hong Kong's participation in the summit has been disallowed since John Lee's sanctions in 2020. The US Treasury Department, in its designation of Lee, accused him of playing a role in the implementation of what the US considers a "draconian" national security law imposed by Beijing.
Earlier this year, a group of lawmakers, led by Republican Senator Marco Rubio, sent a letter to the US State Department urging them to exclude Lee from the summit. The Washington Post recently reported the US decision, and on Friday, congressional aides confirmed that the State Department had notified members of Congress about Lee's non-invitation to the week-long summit, which is slated to take place from November 12 to 18.
Senator Rubio expressed his approval of the decision on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, asserting that barring Lee was the "right call," although he also highlighted that the decision might have taken longer than expected. He further explained, "Hosting a sanctioned human rights violator who represses Hong Kongers is a nonstarter."
The APEC leaders' summit offers a potential diplomatic opportunity for US President Joe Biden to engage in bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Given the strained relations between the two countries, discussions during the summit could be crucial in attempting to stabilize the situation and foster dialogue.
The exclusion of Hong Kong's leader from the APEC summit did not sit well with China, which expressed "strong opposition" to the US decision through its Embassy in Washington. The Chinese Embassy spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, argued that the move violates APEC rules and breaks commitments made by the US.
In response to queries about the decision, a State Department spokesperson stated that the participation of all delegations in APEC events adheres to US laws and regulations, guided by the spirit and principles of APEC. The spokesperson confirmed that invitations for the summit have already been sent out by President Biden's administration, and efforts will be made to work with Hong Kong and China to ensure appropriate participation in the San Francisco summit.
The APEC summit in 2022 was hosted in Thailand, and this year's edition promises to be a critical gathering as leaders grapple with economic challenges amid geopolitical tensions.
San Francisco has been chosen as the venue for this year's APEC gathering, where leaders from member economies convene to discuss regional cooperation and economic matters. Despite being a member of APEC, Hong Kong's participation in the summit has been disallowed since John Lee's sanctions in 2020. The US Treasury Department, in its designation of Lee, accused him of playing a role in the implementation of what the US considers a "draconian" national security law imposed by Beijing.
Earlier this year, a group of lawmakers, led by Republican Senator Marco Rubio, sent a letter to the US State Department urging them to exclude Lee from the summit. The Washington Post recently reported the US decision, and on Friday, congressional aides confirmed that the State Department had notified members of Congress about Lee's non-invitation to the week-long summit, which is slated to take place from November 12 to 18.
Senator Rubio expressed his approval of the decision on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, asserting that barring Lee was the "right call," although he also highlighted that the decision might have taken longer than expected. He further explained, "Hosting a sanctioned human rights violator who represses Hong Kongers is a nonstarter."
The APEC leaders' summit offers a potential diplomatic opportunity for US President Joe Biden to engage in bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Given the strained relations between the two countries, discussions during the summit could be crucial in attempting to stabilize the situation and foster dialogue.
The exclusion of Hong Kong's leader from the APEC summit did not sit well with China, which expressed "strong opposition" to the US decision through its Embassy in Washington. The Chinese Embassy spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, argued that the move violates APEC rules and breaks commitments made by the US.
In response to queries about the decision, a State Department spokesperson stated that the participation of all delegations in APEC events adheres to US laws and regulations, guided by the spirit and principles of APEC. The spokesperson confirmed that invitations for the summit have already been sent out by President Biden's administration, and efforts will be made to work with Hong Kong and China to ensure appropriate participation in the San Francisco summit.
The APEC summit in 2022 was hosted in Thailand, and this year's edition promises to be a critical gathering as leaders grapple with economic challenges amid geopolitical tensions.
