US sanctions will have no impact on DoJ: Paul Lam
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam on Friday said any US sanctions aimed at Hong Kong judges and officials will have no impact on the Department of Justice.  Lam's comment came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on a number of SAR officials.  Blinken said this was in response to what he described as "an intensifying crackdown on rights and freedoms" in Hong Kong.  Speaking on his return from an official visit to the Middle East, Lam reiterated his opposition to any such sanctions. "As we have reiterated many times, these actions and statements violate fundamental principles of international law. Secondly, these remarks or expressions will absolutely not affect me personally or the work of our Department of Justice. They will not have the slightest impact whatsoever," he added.  The justice chief also said he explained Hong Kong's common law system to the business sector in the Middle East during his five-day trip there. Lam said there are many opportunities for cooperation between Hong Kong and the Middle East, as the SAR can help connect investors and businesspeople there to China and the rest of the world.