Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has strongly criticized the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) increasing control over Hong Kong. Sen. Cruz expressed deep concern following the passage of a new law, Article 23, by the Hong Kong legislature that expands the CCP's erosion of the region's freedom and autonomy.

In a statement, Sen. Cruz stated, “The Chinese Communist Party is determined to coerce officials in Hong Kong to pass legislation that mirrors restrictions on freedoms across China. This law includes a broad definition of ‘state secrets’ and ‘external interference’ which will allow Hong Kong officials to prosecute people who oppose CCP policies. The result of these actions is that Hong Kong is becoming indistinguishable from any other Chinese city. American lawmakers must acknowledge this brutal, sad reality even as we continue to counter the CCP’s oppression of the people of Hong Kong and the acute threats that China poses to the national security of the United States.”

Sen. Cruz, who has been a vocal critic of China, has previously labeled China as "the single greatest geopolitical threat of our time."

This new law, set to take effect on Saturday, March 23rd, builds upon the original national security law imposed by the CCP on Hong Kong in May 2020. In response to the CCP's actions, the Trump administration had taken steps, including revoking Hong Kong’s preferential trade status and imposing financial sanctions on CCP and Hong Kong officials.

Sen. Cruz's advocacy for Hong Kong's autonomy and democracy dates back several years. In 2019, he introduced the Hong Kong Policy Reevaluation Act of 2019, aimed at monitoring China's erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy. Sen. Cruz also met with pro-democracy activists and protest leaders in Hong Kong during his Indo-Pacific 'Friends and Allies' tour in 2019, expressing his support for their cause.

Furthermore, Sen. Cruz has actively called for the release of dissidents in China, such as Jimmy Lai, and has worked towards holding the CCP accountable for various actions, including its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Cruz's unwavering stance against the CCP's influence over Hong Kong and his ongoing efforts to reassess the U.S.-China relationship underscore his commitment to defending human rights, democracy, and freedom in the face of growing authoritarianism.