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Sherman - Wagner Introduce Resolution Recognizing the Aspirations of the Residents of Hong Kong

September 6, 2019

Washington, DC- On Friday, August 30th, Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation, and Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) introduced H.Res. 543, a resolution expressing support for the people of Hong Kong in their demonstration efforts. Congressmen Gerald Connolly (D-VA) and Ted Yoho (R-FL), Ranking Member of the Asia Subcommittee, joined Reps. Sherman and Wagner in introducing the resolution.

For months, Hong Kong residents have taken to the streets in record numbers. The demonstrations began in response to a bill that would have allowed the residents of Hong Kong to be extradited to mainland China. The demonstrators have since put forth five central demands to the Chief Executive, including the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill, a demand for universal suffrage in local elections to ensure Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy, and an investigation into the Hong Kong Police's excessive use of force against the demonstrators.

H. Res. 543 expresses support for all five of the protesters' demands and calls on the Hong Kong government to protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The resolution also condemns the Chinese Communist Party's violation of Hong Kong's autonomy and the government's attempts to characterize the overwhelming peaceful protests as riots. The resolution also criticizes the repeated attempts by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to blame the political instability on the United States.

"The millions of people who have taken to the streets of Hong Kong to demand their democratic rights have been an inspiration to us all," said Congressman Brad Sherman. "This resolution puts the House of Representatives on record as supporting the goals and aspirations of the peaceful protestors in Hong Kong. The world is watching."

"With authoritarianism and instances of human rights abuses on the rise across the globe, our friends in Hong Kong need our support at this critical juncture. Core democratic values and the fundamental freedoms that are enshrined in a free and just society are at stake and the future of an autonomous Hong Kong hangs in the balance. The people of Hong Kong are rightly protesting government-sanctioned brutalities and violations of democracy. We stand with them in their fight for basic democratic rights," said Congresswoman Ann Wagner.

"The current situation in Hong Kong has shed light on the abuses by the Chinese Communist Party in the autonomous, self-governing region of Hong Kong. China has a track record of refusing to honor previous agreements, and this case is no different. The international community must continue to support the people of Hong Kong's right to protest and show China that this behavior is unacceptable. This bi-partisan, multi-faceted resolution is an important step in supporting a strong U.S.-Hong Kong relationship and recognizing that the human rights of the people of Hong Kong are of great importance to the United States," said Congressman Ted Yoho.