Sec. 4. Sense of Congress
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Section 102 of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 ( 22 U.S.C. 5712 ) is amended to read as follows: It is the sense of Congress that— this Act, which has faithfully guided United States policy toward Hong Kong for more than 3 decades, was originally predicated on the Government of the People’s Republic of China upholding its commitments with respect to Hong Kong, such that the Government of Hong Kong— maintained sufficient autonomy from the Government of the People's Republic of China in managing affairs within Hong Kong; and safeguarded the democratic rights, culture, and unique way of life of the people of Hong Kong, including through adherence to the rule of law and the maintenance of a credible, independent judicial system; the commitments made under the Joint Declaration, and by extension one country, two systems and the Basic Law, have been abrogated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to the point that such commitments are no longer advancing autonomy, democratic institutions, or the protection of human rights for the people in Hong Kong;
United States policy towards Hong Kong should be updated with a new policy framework that protects United States national security interests and is centered on the people in Hong Kong, including their aspirations, their human rights and well-being, and their desire for autonomy and a democratic system of government in Hong Kong; with the undermining of the autonomy of Hong Kong, and widespread repression and violations of the human rights of Hong Kongers, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has demonstrated that it will blatantly violate or misconstrue its own constitution and laws, and international law, to justify its human rights abuses and rule by law approach and seek to exercise absolute control over the population of Hong Kong, as it does within mainland China; the United States and the international community should develop policies towards Hong Kong that offer unwavering support for people in Hong Kong, including support for the human rights of Hong Kongers and the autonomy of Hong Kong;
United States policy toward Hong Kong should include support to prisoners of conscience, activists fighting for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong, Hong Kong residents wishing to emigrate from the repressive environment in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong diaspora communities; United States policy toward Hong Kong should recognize that the actions of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong are emblematic of the larger efforts of the People’s Republic of China to reshape international institutions and norms, especially institutions and norms related to human rights, and to advance a new global order that has at its foundation the authoritarian model of non-interference of the People’s Republic of China, which authoritarian states use to justify violating the human rights of their citizens and, when advantageous for the strategic interests of the state, the citizens of other states, with impunity; and the United States should intensify efforts to collaborate with partners and allies to highlight the violations of the human rights of Hong Kongers and the autonomy of Hong Kong by the Governments of the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong, and empower the voices of Hong Kongers seeking to advance their fundamental freedoms and aspirations, democratic institutions in Hong Kong, and the ability of Hong Kongers to have a say in the Government of Hong Kong. .
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