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Biden warns US companies about the dangers of operating in Hong Kong

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Biden officials this week have warned US companies of the growing dangers of working in Hong Kong as China dominates the economy.

According to three experts, the threats include the Chinese government’s ability to access information held by foreign companies in Hong Kong and the new law which allows Beijing to impose sanctions on anyone who would contribute to foreign sanctions being enforced against Chinese groups and officials.

President Joe Biden is set to issue a warning and impose further sanctions this week in response Beijing Conversation on the democratic process in Hong Kong and killing people The US has accused Beijing of attempting to kill Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

On Tuesday, the US will issue a warning issued by Trump officials in Xinjiang last year, according to five people familiar with the matter. Business planning emphasizes legal risks US companies face them only when they make sure their chains are not forced into Xinjiang.

This was due to the fact that companies do not take the issue seriously.

“The point of counsel is stress [that] If you do not get out of prison you are at risk of violating US law, “said an official who did not want to be named.” We want to explain to business people. . ”

Right Biden is growing Trump administration is looking into Xinjiang, a move that marks the first time US officials have offered business advice in conjunction with Hong Kong.

A source familiar with the matter said there was disagreement in the government, with some officials worried that the warning could prevent US companies from operating in difficult economic times. But many hawkish officials strongly opposed this companies need to understand the nature of the risk of doing this.

In another case, Biden is over impose other penalties against Chinese officials in Hong Kong, according to someone familiar with the talks. The warning lists recent events such as the forced closure of Apple Daily, a democratic program run by Jimmy Lai.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce added 14 Chinese companies to its foreign list, accusing the companies of engaging in human rights abuses and investigations in Xinjiang. Beijing denounced the group as “unreasonable oppression” and promised to respond with “necessities”.

The White House is also considering measures that would allow Hong Kong citizens in the US to stay after visas expire if they face persecution in Hong Kong. But the process is under discussion and is not expected to be part of the events that will be announced this week.

The warning will appear in major US businesses in Hong Kong. The American Chamber of Commerce in the city has more than 1,200 members and 282 US companies based at their headquarters by 2020.

U.S. companies have not been intimidated by national security law last year, possibly because of Beijing’s approval stored connection data on servers in Hong Kong. Recently, companies have been alarmed by China’s possibility of using an anti-seizure law, which allows for seizure of property, in Hong Kong.

Although the idea of ​​providing security for Hong Kong citizens in the US was not finalized, any development could anger Beijing, which is hostile to foreign governments such as the UK and Canada. provide accommodation for those who have survived political persecution.

Beijing it was not avoided Hong Kong people are taking part in the British National Overseas (VD) program, but it has made it difficult for those who do so to redeem their retirement benefits.

The White House and government department have refused to comment on the Hong Kong incident.

Follow Demetri Sevastopulo and Primrose Riordan on Twitter



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