Sec. 4. Statement of policy

598 words·~3 min read·/bill/116/hr/8428/ih/section-4

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

It is the policy of the United States— to reaffirm the principles and objectives set forth in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 ( Public Law 102–383 ), namely that— the United States has a strong interest in the continued vitality, prosperity, and stability of Hong Kong ; support for democratization is a fundamental principle of United States foreign policy and therefore naturally applies to United States policy toward Hong Kong ; the human rights of the people of Hong Kong are of great importance to the United States and are directly relevant to United States interests in Hong Kong and serve as a basis for Hong Kong’s continued economic prosperity ; and Hong Kong must remain sufficiently autonomous from the PRC to justify treatment under a particular law of the United States, or any provision thereof, different from that accorded the People’s Republic of China ; to continue to support the high degree of autonomy and fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, as enumerated by— the Joint Declaration; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, done at New York December 19, 1966; and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, done at Paris December 10, 1948; to continue to support the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong, including the ultimate aim of the selection of the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage, as articulated in the Basic Law; to urge the Government of the PRC, despite its recent actions, to uphold its commitments to Hong Kong, including allowing the people of Hong Kong to govern Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy and without undue interference, and ensuring that Hong Kong voters freely enjoy the right to elect the Chief Executive and all members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council by universal suffrage; to support the establishment of a genuine democratic option to freely and fairly nominate and elect the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and the establishment of open and direct democratic elections for all members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council; to support the robust exercise by residents of Hong Kong of the rights to free speech, the press, and other fundamental freedoms, as provided by the Basic Law, the Joint Declaration, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; to support freedom from arbitrary or unlawful arrest, detention, or imprisonment for all Hong Kong residents, as provided by the Basic Law, the Joint Declaration, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; to draw international attention to any violations by the Government of the PRC of the fundamental rights of the people of Hong Kong, as provided by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and any encroachment upon the autonomy guaranteed to Hong Kong by the Basic Law and the Joint Declaration; to protect United States citizens and long-term permanent residents living in Hong Kong, as well as people visiting and transiting through Hong Kong; to maintain the economic and cultural ties that provide significant benefits to both the United States and Hong Kong, including the reinstatement of the Fulbright exchange program with regard to Hong Kong at the earliest opportunity; to coordinate with allies, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, to promote democracy and human rights in Hong Kong; and to welcome and protect in the United States residents of Hong Kong fleeing persecution or otherwise seeking a safe haven from violations by the Government of the PRC of the fundamental rights of the people of Hong Kong.

Connections1 off-index

1 reference not yet in our index

Pub. L. 102-383

Citation graph

cites case law

Sec. 4

Statement of policy

Pub. L.Pub. L. 102-383

Cites 1Cited by 0 across 0 sources