Cuts to aid for Hong Kong absconders ‘legal’, Paul Lam says after US ‘repression’ claims

Hong Kong’s justice chief has defended the approach of cutting off financial assistance to absconders, saying it is legal and fully complies with international law, as he rejects Washington’s allegations that the city has engaged in “transnational repression” of opposition activists based overseas.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok also slammed the United States for attempting to blur the “one country, two systems” principle with its tariffs on mainland China and Hong Kong.

During a radio show on Saturday, Lam took aim at the US, which earlier imposed sanctions on him and five other officials in Hong Kong over the “transnational repression” of opposition activists, arguing those violating national security laws should be tried and face justice if convicted.

“The measures we are taking include prohibiting the provision of financial resources or assistance to absconders. The purpose is to reduce their ability to continue to do things that harm Hong Kong. This is a reasonable and legal act, and is fully in line with international law,” he said.

“We have absolutely not engaged in any transnational repression that is not in line with international rules and law,” he said, suggesting authorities had not assigned anybody to “abduct” them back to the city.

“On the contrary, the US has engaged in transnational bullying that is completely in violation of international relations and law,” he said.