More protests against US bill sanctioning HK officials
More groups staged protests outside the American consulate in Central on Monday against a proposal in the US Congress to sanction SAR officials, judges and prosecutors. New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip, who was among the demonstrators, said the bill which was put forward by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Washington last week will only serve to motivate those it targets. "The threat of sanctioning 49 key justice and law enforcement officials in Hong Kong is totally unacceptable. I am confident that our officials will not be intimidated and will continue to carry out their duties most dutifully and conscientiously," Ip said. Members of the DAB and Federation of Trade Unions waved placards during their protests and handed petitions to consulate staff. DAB vice-chairman Holden Chow said the US lawmakers behind the bill could have violated Hong Kong's national security law. "So, let me remind the US politicians what they are doing is stupid, absurd action and their actions will be doomed to fail," Chow said. In recent days, the government, national security officials, the police chief and the liaison office have also condemned the US lawmakers' bill.