Risch Meets with Hong Kong Civil Society Leaders, Expresses Support for Autonomy of Hong Kong

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met earlier this week with a delegation of civil society leaders from Hong Kong led by Martin Lee, former member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council and a long-time advocate for freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. He made the following statement in response to issues discussed: 

“I greatly enjoyed meeting with Martin Lee and his colleagues, and admire their efforts to promote freedom, democracy, and autonomy in Hong Kong," said Risch. "I was deeply concerned by our discussion about proposed changes to Hong Kong’s laws that would allow extraditions to Mainland China. Hong Kong’s future as a hub of commerce and an open society are inextricably tied to a commitment to the rule of law. But these proposed changes would expose Hong Kong people and others who live, work, and travel there - including Americans - to a legal system controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, to whom the rule of law means little. I will continue to watch this issue closely, and will work with my colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to support the autonomy of Hong Kong.”

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