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Politics

U.S. warns firms concerning the dangers of doing enterprise in Hong Kong as China clamps down on rights

U.S. warns companies about the risks of doing business in Hong Kong as China clamps down on rights

The national flags of the USA and China fly in front of a building.

The Eng Koon | AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON – The Biden government on Friday warned companies with offices in Hong Kong of far-reaching financial and regulatory risks as China continues to restrict political and economic freedoms in the area.

The nine-page Hong Kong Business Advisory – jointly published by the Departments of State, Finance, Trade and Homeland Security – warns that US firms in Hong Kong are exposed to a number of risks posed by China’s national security law.

The report states that “companies are exposed to risks in connection with electronic surveillance without an arrest warrant and the disclosure of data to authorities as well as“ restricted access to information ”.

“Beijing has damaged Hong Kong’s reputation for accountable, transparent governance and respect for individual freedoms and has broken its promise to keep Hong Kong’s high levels of autonomy unchanged for 50 years,” Foreign Minister Antony Blinken wrote in a statement.

“In light of Beijing’s decisions last year that stifled the democratic aspirations of the Hong Kong people, we are taking action. Today we are sending a clear message that the United States is resolutely on the side of the Hong Kong people, ”added the country’s top diplomat.

The Biden government also imposed US sanctions on seven Chinese officials for violating Hong Kong’s autonomy.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this week, the Biden government issued a warning to companies with investment ties to China’s Xinjiang Province, citing growing evidence of genocide and other human rights abuses in the country’s northwestern region.

Washington has openly criticized Beijing’s comprehensive national security law, passed in June 2020, aimed at restricting Hong Kong’s autonomy and banning critical literature about the Chinese Communist Party.

The then Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo described the measure as an “Orwellian move” and an attack “on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong”.

Former President Donald Trump soon signed a law imposing sanctions on China in response to its interference with Hong Kong’s autonomy. He also signed an executive order ending the preferential treatment that Hong Kong has long enjoyed.

CNBC policy

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“Hong Kong is now being treated like mainland China,” Trump said during a July 2020 speech from the White House rose garden.

“No special privileges, no special economic treatment and no export of sensitive technologies,” said Trump. “Also, as you know, we are imposing massive tariffs and have imposed very high tariffs on China.”

China’s State Department fired back, saying Beijing would impose retaliatory sanctions on US people and businesses.

Categories
Business

Alaska Airways Clamps Down on Emotional Assist Animals on Flights

Alaska Airlines Clamps Down on Emotional Support Animals on Flights

If you’re flying with Alaska Airlines from mid-January, don’t plan on getting on board with your support pig or miniature horse.

The airline, which acted in the wake of new federal guidelines aimed at curbing a number of at times exotic animals that passengers had brought on airliners as emotional support animals, simply announced on Tuesday what it would allow: only qualified assistance dogs the up lie on the floor or be held in your lap.

Ray Prentice, director of customer advocacy at Alaska Airlines, who said it was the first major airline to publicly change its animal policy in light of updated federal guidelines, said the airline’s decision was a positive move.

“This change in the law is welcome news as it will help us reduce disruption on board while accommodating our guests traveling with qualified service animals,” Prentice said in a statement.

The airline said that as of Jan. 11, service dogs will only be allowed who have been trained to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

A December 2 ruling by the US Department of Transportation that amended the Department’s Air Carrier Access Act gives airlines the power to classify animals as pets rather than service animals with emotional support. According to the verdict, only dogs that meet certain training criteria may be admitted as service animals for people with physical, sensory, psychiatric, mental or other mental disabilities.

The new regulation has been criticized by disability rights advocates who said the restrictions would weaken protection for people with disabilities by restricting the definition of a service animal. According to formal guidelines from the Ministry of Transport from 2019, common service animals include dogs, cats and miniature horses.

“Although it is no secret that we are still a long way from having a truly accessible transport system in this country, the DOT rule will only serve to exacerbate existing inequalities for people with disabilities who travel by air, and instead almost exclusively for them The airline’s interests to be considered industry, “Curt Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network, said in a statement earlier this month.

Despite criticism, airlines and others in the air travel industry, such as lobby group Airlines for America, have hailed the recent changes and stated that they will do more to reduce animal misbehavior on flights and prevent individuals from setting rules regarding the service abuse animals.

In the past, passengers have attempted to travel with a wide variety of animals, from everyday to downright unusual animals such as pigs, monkeys, and birds. (One unsuccessful attempt even included a peacock.)

The Disabled Americans Act defines dogs and miniature horses as service animals “that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Under the law, dogs that only provide emotional support are not designated as service animals.

Alaska Airlines’ revised policy allows for a maximum of two service dogs per guest and includes psychiatric service dogs. Passengers must also submit a form developed by the Ministry of Transport confirming that a dog is a service animal and has received appropriate training and vaccination.