Foreign Affairs

“Hong Kongers have put their lives on the line fighting for the basic freedoms promised them by Beijing. President Trump‘s decision to sign the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act honors their courage and aids their cause. And it sends a clear signal to Beijing: the United States will not stand by and watch China break its treaty commitments and try to dominate all of Asia.”

Senator Hawley writes, “For five months, Beijing and its proxy chief executive in Hong Kong have been attempting to alter the city’s status and restrict its citizens’ freedoms, in apparent violation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the 1984 Joint Declaration. The Hong Kong executive has authorized violent force against unarmed demonstrators, has radically restricted the right of citizens peaceably to assemble, has intervened in District Council candidate selection, has illegally banned the use of face masks, and repeatedly laid siege to Hong Kong universities.”

Following the heightened violence at Polytechnic University in Hong Kong over the weekend, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) today suggested that China may be in violation of the 1984 Sino–British Joint Declaration. According to BBC, “around 100 people tried to leave the Polytechnic University, but were met with tear gas and rubber bullets.” The Washington Post reported that Chinese President Xi Xingping recently urged Hong Kong authorities to take “firmer action” to end the protests.

Ours must be a foreign policy for the people who built this country; one that honors our workers by protecting their livelihoods; protects our way of life by thwarting hegemons; and respects our service-members by asking them to sacrifice only for a justified purpose and only with a reasonable plan.

Today Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) fired back at the Mexican Ambassador’s letter blaming Americans for the crimes of the cartels and the flow of drugs over the southern border. He stands by his call yesterday for sanctions against Mexican officials who will not confront cartels.

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will deliver a speech at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) next Tuesday, November 12, at 10:30 a.m. ET. In the speech, Sen. Hawley will argue that it is time to reconsider the foreign policy consensus in light of a new era of great power competition. Following the remarks, he will participate in a Q&A session with CNAS CEO Richard Fontaine.

The Hong Kong Be Water Act condemns the Chinese Communist Party for violations of Hongkongers’ freedoms of speech, assembly, and demonstration — rights that Beijing previously agreed to uphold. It also calls for tough new sanctions against the government officials and others responsible for the violations.

It is time now to stand with the people of Hong Kong and to send a signal to the world that the United States will stand with freedom-loving peoples, that the United States will stand up to Beijing, that the United States will not permit China to dominate its neighbors and its region and the world. And so it is time for this body to act and to act now.

During his fact-finding visit to Hong Kong, United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said Hong Kong was in “danger of sliding towards a police state.” Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam then held a press conference where she called Senator Hawley’s remarks “irresponsible and unfounded.” Last night Senator Hawley responded to Lam, saying, “I chose the words ‘police state’ purposely – because that is exactly what Hong Kong is becoming. I saw it myself. If Carrie Lam wants to demonstrate otherwise, here’s an idea: resign.”

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) traveled to Hong Kong this weekend to learn the facts on the ground, observe the protests, and speak to pro-democracy activists. In a video filmed in front of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, Senator Hawley compared Hongkongers’ fight against the Chinese Communist Party to East Germany’s struggle against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.