YouTube closes the account of Hong Kong’s sole leadership candidate

HONG KONG – YouTube removed ‘s campaign channel John LeeHong Kong’s only candidate for its top leadership position, cited US sanctions against him

The platform’s rare move, run by Googletook place after Washington announced sanctions against Lee and the Hong Kong and Chinese officials in 2020 about what they say is their role in eroding the Chinese territory’s freedoms under national security legislation that Beijing imposed earlier that year to reply months of anti-government protests.

“Google complies with applicable U.S. sanctions laws and enforces relevant policies in accordance with its Terms of Service,” a company spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday. “After reviewing and being consistent with these policies, we have terminated the YouTube channel Johnlee2022.”

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The owner of Facebook Meta alone, also citing US sanctions, said Lee was able to maintain the “no monetization phenomenon” on Facebook and Instagram and that it had taken steps to prevent the use of it. payment services.

The termination of the YouTube channel is first reported by The South China Morning Post.

Lee’s campaign office said it was “disappointed” by the decision.

“The termination of the contract reflects the blatant hegemonic tactics employed by the US government,” it said in a statement. “Imposing a so-called penalty on Mr. Lee to intimidate him will not affect his strong resolve to continue to uphold national security.”

The statement added that terminating the channel will not affect the campaign.

“Mr. Lee will continue to do his best to reach out to the public to explain his platform and hear their views through a variety of media and channels,” it said.

While services like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are banned in mainland China, they are still available in Hong Kong, where a period of greater freedom is promised under the “one country, two systems” principle. when the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule. in 1997.

Critics say those freedoms have been greatly restricted under the national security law, which was enacted in June 2020 and makes the charges of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with force. Foreigners can be sentenced to life in prison.

Government officials have defended the law as needed to restore stability following the 2019 protests, which sometimes turned violent.

In August 2020, when Lee was Hong Kong’s security secretary, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him and 10 others, including the territory’s leader, the Chief Executive Officer. onion. Carrie Lam, “For undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and restricting Hong Kong citizens’ freedom of speech or assembly.” It said Lee was punished for his role in the enforcement and enforcement of national security laws.

Sanctions freeze any US assets held by officials and ban Americans from doing business with them.

Lee was then promoted to party secretary, the city’s No. 2 position. He stepped down this month to run for chief executive officer after Lam said she would not seek a second term.

Hong Kong’s chief executive is chosen by the 1,500-member Election Commission, which is now more controlled by Beijing after last year’s electoral reform designed to ensure that only “patriots” loyal to China can run.

Since the crackdown on dissent, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy legislators have mostly been in prison either in self-imposed exile or have resigned from politics, and legislative elections in December attracted a record low voter turnout, which some see as a manifestation of voter disapproval. This week, two people who allegedly shared a Facebook post urging voters to corrupt their ballots in that election received two months of suspended prison.

Lee, 64, a former professional police officer, has yet to release his manifesto for the chief executive election, which will be held on May 8 after it was postponed from March. because the outbreak of corona virus. He is expected to emphasize security issues and said one of his top priorities will be to enact a local national security law known as Article 23.

Reuters contribute.

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