The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution introduced by Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri condemning China’s proposed “national security law,” which Hawley says would “steamroll” Hong Kong.
Senate Resolution 596 formally condemns the Chinese government’s move to tighten its control over Hong Kong. China's proposed law would ban secession, subversion, and foreign interference into the former British colony’s affairs.
Hawley spoke on the Senate floor to criticize the Chinese Communist Party for the move against Hong Kong, where protests have been ongoing since last year.
“They call it a 'national security law.' It doesn’t have anything to do with national security. It has everything to do with ending liberty,” he said in his Senate speech.
Hawley said the law violates the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong Basic Law. He also accused Beijing of using the COVID-19 pandemic as cover to “steamroll” Hongkongers.