HONG KONG — YouTube has taken down the marketing campaign channel of John Lee, Hong Kong’s only candidate for its prime leadership place, citing sanctions imposed on him by the U.S.
The uncommon transfer by the platform, which is run by Google, comes after Washington introduced sanctions towards Lee and different Hong Kong and Chinese officers in 2020 over what it mentioned have been their roles in eroding the Chinese territory’s freedoms underneath a nationwide safety legislation that Beijing imposed earlier that yr in response to months of anti-government protests.
“Google complies with applicable U.S. sanctions laws and enforces related policies under its Terms of Service,” an organization spokesperson mentioned in a press release Wednesday. “After review and consistent with these policies, we terminated the Johnlee2022 YouTube channel.”
Download the NBC News app for breaking news and politics
Separately, Facebook proprietor Meta, additionally citing U.S. sanctions, mentioned Lee may preserve “demonetized presences” on Facebook and Instagram and that it had taken steps to stop the use of cost companies.
The YouTube channel’s termination was first reported by The South China Morning Post.
Lee’s marketing campaign workplace mentioned it was “disappointed” by the choice.
“The termination reflects the flagrant hegemonic tactics employed by the U.S. government,” it mentioned in a press release. “Imposing the so-called sanction on Mr. Lee so as to intimidate him will not in any way affect his strong determination to continue to safeguard national security.”
The assertion added that the channel’s termination wouldn’t have an effect on the marketing campaign.
“Mr. Lee will continue to use his best efforts to reach out to the public to explain his platform and to hear their views through many different means and channels,” it mentioned.
While companies resembling YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are banned in mainland China, they’re accessible in Hong Kong, which was promised a interval of higher freedoms underneath the “one country, two systems” precept when the previous British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Critics say these freedoms have been drastically curbed underneath the nationwide safety legislation, which was imposed in June 2020 and makes the crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with overseas forces punishable by as much as life in jail.
Government officers have defended the legislation as vital to revive stability after the 2019 protests, which have been generally violent.
In August 2020, when Lee was Hong Kong’s safety secretary, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him and 10 different individuals, together with the territory’s chief, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, “for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly of the citizens of Hong Kong.” It mentioned Lee was being sanctioned over his position in implementing and implementing the nationwide safety legislation.
The sanctions freeze any U.S. belongings held by the officers and bar Americans from doing enterprise with them.
Lee was later promoted to chief secretary, town’s No. 2 place. He resigned this month to run for chief government after Lam mentioned she wouldn’t search a second time period.
Hong Kong’s chief government is chosen by a 1,500-member Election Committee, the composition of which is now additional managed by Beijing after electoral reforms final yr designed to make sure that only “patriots” loyal to China may run.
Since the crackdown on dissent, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy lawmakers are principally in jail or self-exile or have resigned from politics, and a legislative election in December drew file low turnout in what some mentioned was an expression of voter antipathy. This week, two individuals accused of sharing a Facebook put up urging voters to spoil their ballots in that election obtained suspended sentences of two months in jail.
Lee, 64, a former profession police officer, has not but launched his manifesto for the chief government election, which might be held May 8 after it was postponed from March as a result of of a coronavirus outbreak. He is anticipated to emphasise safety points and has mentioned one of his prime priorities might be to enact native nationwide safety laws often called Article 23.
Reuters contributed.