US sanctions HK leader

Freezes US assets of Carrie Lam and 10 others

Hong Kong's leader and China's top representative in the city took pot shots at the United States on Saturday after the Trump administration sanctioned them and nine other officials for allegedly cracking down on freedom and undermining the local autonomy of the former British colony.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam took to Facebook to say that the U.S. got her address wrong, listing the official address of her chief deputy instead. She noted that she was the deputy when she applied for her U.S. visa in 2016.

"By the way, my entry visa to the U.S. is valid until 2026. Since I have no desire to visit this country, it looks like I can take the initiative to cancel it," Lam said.

The sanctions, announced Friday by the U.S. Treasury Department, block all property or other assets that the individuals have within U.S. jurisdiction.

Luo Huining, the director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, said being included on the list shows that he has done what he should for the city and his country.

"I don't have a penny of assets abroad. Isn't it in vain to impose 'sanctions'? Of course, I can also send 100 U.S. dollars to Mr. Trump for freezing," he said in a statement on the office's website.

Hong Kong Commerce Secretary Edward Yau, who wasn't sanctioned, called the sanctions "unreasonable and barbarous" and said they would harm U.S. interests in the city, an Asian financial and shipping hub.