US sanctions on Hong Kong judges may ‘result in Beijing taking over trials’

Basic Law Committee member Priscilla Leung says US bill shows American politicians are ‘completely ignorant’ of the national security law

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Existing US sanctions have had little impact on officials so far, observers say. Photo: AP

Published: 8:30am, 28 Jan 2025Updated: 5:44pm, 28 Jan 2025

A member of Hong Kong’s Basic Law Committee has warned that Beijing could “in theory” take over national security trials in the city if the United States advances a bill to sanction judges, rendering such cases “beyond the capacity” of local courts to try.

Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, also a lawmaker, on Monday maintained that it was the best option for cases to be handled by the city’s courts although it was difficult to determine how foreign sanctions might change the situation. The Basic Law Committee advises the central government on the city’s mini-constitution.

But local observers expressed doubt over Leung’s remarks, noting that existing sanctions had so far had little impact on Hong Kong officials, and such a drastic move could prompt Western politicians to respond with more sanctions.

American lawmakers Young Kim and Jim McGovern introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong Sanctions Act in the US Congress on Friday, less than a week after Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second and last term.

The bill, largely modelled on a similar legislative proposal introduced in November 2023 that has since expired, would require the US president to assess whether to sanction certain Hong Kong officials who are deemed to have violated human rights.

Among the 48 people listed in the bill are 29 judges and magistrates, including Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung and three permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal. Seven Court of First Instance judges, five district judges and five magistrates are listed.