US imposes visa restrictions on Chinese, Hong Kong officials: State Department

WASHINGTON - The United States is imposing new visa restrictions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials over guilty verdicts in the National Security Law trial of pro-democracy organisers in Hong Kong, said the State Department on May 31.

Fourteen Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were found guilty and two were acquitted on May 30 in a

landmark subversion trial

that critics say could deal another blow to the city's rule of law and its reputation as a global financial hub.

“The United States is deeply concerned by the guilty verdicts announced in the National Security Law trial of pro-democracy organisers in Hong Kong,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement.

“The defendants were subjected to a politically motivated prosecution and jailed simply for peacefully participating in political activities protected under the Basic Law of Hong Kong.”

As a result, the US will impose new visa restrictions on the Chinese and Hong Kong officials responsible for implementing the security law, said Mr Miller.

The verdicts in Hong Kong's biggest trial against the democratic opposition come more than three years after

police arrested 47 democrats in dawn raids

at homes across the city. They were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under a national security law imposed by China.

The US urges Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to stop using the “vague national security laws to curb peaceful dissent,” said Mr Miller. REUTERS