The US State Department made a written statement regarding the visa restrictions.
The statement criticized the law adopted under Article 23 of the Basic Law, which expands the powers of the regional authorities, and accused China of "taking actions against Hong Kong's democratic institutions, rights and freedoms".
The statement said that visa restrictions were imposed on many Hong Kong officials due to these actions and called for the "restoration of the rights and freedoms" of Hong Kongers and the release of those unjustly detained.
VISA RESTRICTIONS ON 10 SYRIAN OFFICIALS
In another statement made by the Ministry, it was announced that visa restrictions were imposed on 10 Syrian officials and their close family members.
In a statement criticizing the Bashar al-Assad regime, it was noted that restrictions were imposed on these officials and their family members due to their "suppression of Syrians and their involvement in human rights violations".
The statement emphasized that the United States will not "normalize" relations with the Assad regime until progress is made towards a lasting solution in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254.
AFTER 21 YEARS ON THE SHELF, THE NATIONAL SECURITY BILL WAS PASSED BY PARLIAMENT
The National Security Protection Law, which was shelved for 21 years after the protests in 2003 in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was unanimously adopted by the Parliament.
The law, which was unanimously adopted by the National Assembly, defines 39 crimes such as treason, separatism, attempting to overthrow the government, inciting people to riot, sabotage, collaboration with foreign powers, revealing state secrets and espionage.
The law stipulates life imprisonment for crimes such as treason, sedition, inciting the Chinese Armed Forces to rebel and damaging public infrastructure in cooperation with foreign powers. The law paves the way for some crimes to be tried in Hong Kong even if they are committed abroad.
