Club Lunch Panel: Foreign Interference in Hong Kong Affairs or Welcome Support for Democracy? A Panel Discussion on the US Congress’s Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.

In a reaction to the now-defunct extradition bill and ensuing protests, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act is receiving widespread bipartisan support in the US Congress. The Act directs US government departments to assess whether Hong Kong continues to enjoy the post-1997 political autonomy that has given it a special status under US law. Under the proposed Act, the US could impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials who infringe “basic freedoms” in the city. Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the proposed legislation interferes in Hong Kong’s internal affairs and makes the United States a “stakeholder” in the SAR, while members of the protest movement support the legislation. The panel discussed whether the Act is the right tool to help Hong Kong as its supporters claim or if it would be counterproductive and end up hurting Hong Kong as its opponents believe.

   

Regina Ip, founder of the New People’s Party, was first elected as member of the Legislative Council in 2008 and appointed as non-official member of the Executive Council in 2012. Previously, she had served as Secretary for Security and founded Savantas Policy Institute.

Tara Joseph, former president of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong, has been president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong since 2017. She has more than 15 years of experience working in Asia, covering top economic and political stories as a foreign correspondent for Reuters.

Charles Mok, vice chairman of the Professional Commons, is the Legislative Councillor representing the Information Technology Functional Constituency since 2012. He is also honorary president of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation and founding chairman of the Internet Society Hong Kong.