Washington, D.C. (March 19, 2021) — U.S. Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) joined as a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing a bipartisan resolution condemning the Chinese government’s ongoing crackdown against democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong as well as Beijing’s violation of the commitments it made in the legally binding international treaty, known as the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. The resolution also calls on the U.S. government to respond by using all diplomatic and economic tools to punish Beijing, including targeted sanctions and measures contained in the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-149). The resolution further urges the U.S. to review the CCP’s violations of its treaty obligations to Hong Kong as it contemplates any future agreements with Beijing and urges the International Olympic Committee to consider moving the 2022 Winter Olympics out of China due to the government’s ongoing human rights violations.  
 
Markey, Rubio, Cardin, and Risch were joined by Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). 
 
“The United States speaks with one voice in support of freedom, democracy, and justice for the people of Hong Kong,” said Senator Markey. “The Chinese government crackdown against freedom in Hong Kong is unacceptable, and Beijing must be held accountable for violating the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which awarded autonomy to Hong Kong. Congress must take immediate action to support the people of Hong Kong.”

 

“The CCP’s continued aggression against Hong Kong and its crushing of Hong Kong’s autonomy and basic freedoms must be met with international condemnation and strong countermeasures,” said Senator Rubio. “Words are not enough. We must act with all of the diplomatic and economic tools available to hold CCP officials accountable. This includes urging the International Olympic Committee to move the Olympics out of China to a country more deserving of the honor of hosting the games.”
 
“The U.S. stands with Hong Kong in its fight for democracy and freedom,” said Senator Cardin. “It is unacceptable that the Chinese government refuses to honor its agreement to the Hong Kong people made in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. We must continue to hold the government of China accountable and enact consequences for those who violate human rights.”