Hello and welcome to the details of Biden extends protection for Hong Kong residents amid growing US-China tensions and now with the details
Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - Neon signs are seen on a street in Hong Kong January 10, 2025. This is the second time Biden has extended the programme. He also did so for two years in 2022. — AFP pic
WASHINGTON, Jan 16 — President Joe Biden yesterday ordered a two-year extension of a program allowing Hong Kong residents living in the United States — many of whom fled repressive Chinese rule — to stay beyond the expiry of their visas.
The extension, just weeks before the programme was due to run out, is likely to add to tensions between Beijing and Washington as the incoming administration of Donald Trump vowed to confront a “dangerous” China and deter any invasion of Taiwan.
It is the second time Biden has extended the programme. He also did so for two years in 2022.
“Offering safe haven for Hong Kong residents who have been deprived of their guaranteed freedoms in Hong Kong furthers United States interests in the region,” Biden said in a presidential memorandum.
“The United States supports the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Hong Kong. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has continued to significantly erode those rights and freedoms,” he said.
Biden laid out what he described as the Chinese communist government’s “assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy” and undermining of remaining democratic institutions.
This includes at least 200 arrests of politicians and activists on politically motivated national security charges such as subversion since 2020, when a draconian national security law came into force in Hong Kong, and the sentencing last year of 45 pro-democracy advocates to prison, he said.
“There are compelling foreign policy reasons to extend” the visa clemency programme, known as Deferred Enforced Departure, Biden said.
The previous programme was due to expire on February 5.
The State Department added that on December 24, Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants and bounties targeting six overseas democracy activists and cancelled passports for seven other activists, including some based in the United States.
“These acts of transnational repression are a threat to US sovereignty and national security and show blatant disregard for democracy and human rights,” spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. — AFP
These were the details of the news Biden extends protection for Hong Kong residents amid growing US-China tensions for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.
It is also worth noting that the original news has been published and is available at Malay Mail and the editorial team at AlKhaleej Today has confirmed it and it has been modified, and it may have been completely transferred or quoted from it and you can read and follow this news from its main source.
