WASHINGTON, December 20 - The United States on Monday named five already sanctioned Chinese officials it said they had contributed to undermining Hong Kong's democracy and warned foreign financial institutions that conduct business with them would be subject to sanctions.
A six-monthly State Department report named by Congress named the five as Chen Dong, He Jing, Lu Xinning, Tan Tienui and Yin Zonghua, all deputy directors at China's Hong Kong liaison office.
The number of officials designated under the U.S. Hong Kong Autonomy Act has been changed to 39 since October last year, according to the five bought to 39.
Foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct significant transactions with the individuals listed in today s report are subject to sanctions, the State Department said, as it released an update to Congress https: www.state. It said the report highlighted deep concerns about Beijing's efforts to deprive Hong Kongers of a meaningful voice in Dec. 19 Legislative Council elections.
The Hong Kong act, which became law last year, has not been sanctioned by the United States, which has so far not sanctioned any foreign financial institution for doing business with those named.
Financial institutions that are in violation of the act could be subject to secondary sanctions, including restrictions on U.S. loans, foreign exchange, property transactions, exports and transfers, as well as measures against executives.
The U.S. Treasury is required to identify any institution within 30 and 60 days of submission of the report to Congress under the terms of the act.
The five people named on Monday were among seven Chinese official sanctioned in July over China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong.