Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1) The People’s Republic of China has repeatedly violated its obligations under the Joint Declaration by suppressing the basic rights and freedoms of Hong Kongers. (2) On June 30, 2020, the National People’s Congress passed a law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (referred to in this Act as the National Security Law), which further erodes Hong Kong’s autonomy and enables authorities to suppress dissent. (3) The Government of the People’s Republic of China continues to utilize the National Security Law to undermine the fundamental rights of Hong Kongers by suppressing freedoms of speech, assembly, religion, and the press. (4) Article 9 of the National Security Law authorizes unprecedented regulation and supervision of internet activity in Hong Kong, including expanded police powers to force internet service providers to censor content, hand over user information, and block access to platforms. (5) On January 13, 2021, the Hong Kong Broadband Network blocked public access to HKChronicles, which is a website promoting pro-democracy viewpoints, under the authorities of the National Security Law. (6) On January 28, 2021, the Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited enacted a revised acceptable use policy that enables authorities to require the rejection of website registration requests that may incite illegal acts. (7) On February 4, 2021, Carrie Lam expressed support for implementing additional laws to increase internet censorship. (8) On February 12, 2021, internet service providers blocked access to the Taiwan Transitional Justice Commission website in Hong Kong. (9) Major tech companies including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Google have stopped reviewing requests for user data from Hong Kong authorities. (10) On February 28, 2021, 47 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong were arrested charged under the National Security Law on the charge of conspiracy to commit subversion. (11) On December 12, 2022, Chris Tang and John Lee advocated for Google to remove search results for a pro-democracy song. (12) On February 14, 2023, John Lee reaffirmed his commitment to pass Article 23 of the Basic Law by 2024, which would require Hong Kong to enact national security legislation for seven types of offenses, further eroding individual freedoms and giving unrestricted power to authorities. (13) In March 2023, Hong Kong authorities arrested a student returning from Japan for violating the National Security Law by sharing pro-democracy statements online while studying abroad. (14) On May 16, 2023, John Lee encouraged public libraries to remove books with messages that do not serve the interests of Hong Kong. (15) On June 6, 2023, the Hong Kong government attempted to ban all forms of broadcasting and distribution of a pro-democracy song. (16) On March 19, 2024, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed Article 23 of the Basic Law, which created new criminal offenses, expanded legal penalties, and broadened the authorities’ power to target political opposition and criminalize free speech. (17) In May 2024, 45 out of 47 pro-democracy activists were convicted of conspiracy to commit subversion and later handed prison sentences under Beijing’s-imposed National Security Law. (18) On December 15, 2025, pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai was convicted by Hong Kong’s High Court and later sentenced to 20 years in prison. (19) On July 15, 2026, Hong Kong national security police raided 2 independent bookstores and arrested 5 people under authorities granted by the newly passed Article 23 Ordinance.