Govt to raise US sanctions with WTO

August 18, 2020

Chief Executive Carrie Lam:

These sanctions are totally unjustified and we will take up some of those sanctions, especially those involving trade, because Hong Kong is a separate member of the World Trade Organization. To be mistreated by another member of the World Trade Organization breaches the rules and regulations of this international body. So we will take up with the World Trade Organization against those sanctions. 

But your question’s focus seems to be on myself. If I am being sanctioned by America - I couldn’t go to the US - how could I do overseas promotions?

To be very honest with you, since taking office in 2017, I have not been to the US. I had been planning (to go), but I have not been to there, partly because in 2016, as the Chief Secretary I had done a very extensive US official trip covering three cites - San Francisco, New York and Washington DC.

Without a physical visit by the leader of the Government doesn’t mean that we could not do overseas promotion work. We still have three economic and trade offices in America and we have our InvestHK arms which will be very happy to introduce Hong Kong’s strengths, especially in the Greater Bay Area, in the financial services to US companies interested in setting up their business in Hong Kong, and we can also work through the chambers.

I hope that, in asking that question, you too will feel that the leader of this Government has been mistreated by the US administration. But that never mind, as I said despite some inconvenience in my personal affairs that is nothing that I will take to heart at all, we will continue to do what is right for the country and for Hong Kong.

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will address sanctions imposed by the US with the World Trade Organization.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam said the sanctions, especially those involving trade, are totally unjustified.

“Hong Kong is a separate member of the World Trade Organization. To be mistreated by another member of the World Trade Organization breaches the rules and regulations of this international body. So we will take up with the World Trade Organization against those sanctions.”

When asked if the Hong Kong SAR Government can still do overseas promotion work with sanctions imposed on government leaders, Mrs Lam explained that other resources can be utilised to market the city.

“Since taking office in 2017, I have not been to the US. I had been planning (to go), but I have not been to there, partly because in 2016, as the Chief Secretary I had done a very extensive US official trip covering three cites - San Francisco, New York and Washington DC.

“Without a physical visit by the leader of the Government doesn’t mean that we could not do overseas promotion work. We still have three economic and trade offices in America and we have our InvestHK arms which will be very happy to introduce Hong Kong’s strengths, especially in the Greater Bay Area, in the financial services to US companies interested in setting up their business in Hong Kong, and we can also work through the chambers.”

Mrs Lam emphasised that while the US sanctions imposed on her will be an inconvenience in her personal affairs, the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to do what is right for the country and Hong Kong.