Solar Energy News
DEMOCRACY
Biden extends protections for Hong Kongers in US
Biden extends protections for Hong Kongers in US
by AFP Staff Writers
Washington (AFP) Jan 16, 2025

President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered a two-year extension of a program allowing Hong Kong residents living in the United States -- many of whom fled repressive Chinese rule -- to stay beyond the expiry of their visas.

The extension, just weeks before the program was due to run out, is likely to add to tensions between Beijing and Washington as the incoming administration of Donald Trump vowed to confront a "dangerous" China and deter any invasion of Taiwan.

It is the second time Biden has extended the program. He also did so for two years in 2022.

"Offering safe haven for Hong Kong residents who have been deprived of their guaranteed freedoms in Hong Kong furthers United States interests in the region," Biden said in a presidential memorandum.

"The United States supports the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Hong Kong. The People's Republic of China (PRC) has continued to significantly erode those rights and freedoms," he said.

Biden laid out what he described as the Chinese communist government's "assault on Hong Kong's autonomy" and undermining of remaining democratic institutions.

This includes at least 200 arrests of politicians and activists on politically motivated national security charges such as subversion since 2020, when a draconian national security law came into force in Hong Kong, and the sentencing last year of 45 pro-democracy advocates to prison, he said.

"There are compelling foreign policy reasons to extend" the visa clemency program, known as Deferred Enforced Departure, Biden said.

The previous program was due to expire on February 5.

The State Department added that on December 24, Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants and bounties targeting six overseas democracy activists and cancelled passports for seven other activists, including some based in the United States.

"These acts of transnational repression are a threat to US sovereignty and national security and show blatant disregard for democracy and human rights," spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
DEMOCRACY
'Disaster': China's asylum seekers fear Trump deportation threat
New York (AFP) Jan 15, 2025
Fear drove them out of China - over oceans and continents, through rainforests and mountains, seeking safety and opportunity in the United States. Now, as Donald Trump's second presidency looms, Chinese asylum seekers are once again afraid. Trump, who takes power again on January 20, has vowed mass deportations backed by the military, putting the promise at the heart of his rhetoric targeting illegal immigrants on the campaign trail that helped catapult him to victory. That has left the fate o ... read more

DEMOCRACY
From lab to field: CABBI pipeline delivers oil-rich sorghum

Breakthrough process converts CO2 and electricity into protein-rich food

The biobattery that needs to be fed

Breakthrough in sustainable energy with photochemical water oxidation

DEMOCRACY
Robots should be repurposed to combat e-waste crisis

Autonomous AI assistant develops advanced nanostructures

Biden issues order to boost AI infrastructure in US

PM vows 'pro-growth' rules to make Britain an 'AI superpower'

DEMOCRACY
Flinders University advances vertical wind turbine design

Secure cryptographic framework enhances collaboration in offshore wind energy

BP to 'significantly reduce' renewables investment

Baltic Sea wind farms impair Sweden's defence, says military

DEMOCRACY
Charging forward: The impact of electrifying heavy-duty vehicles on the grid

Beijing 'firmly opposes' US ban on smart cars with Chinese tech

Super-sized electric vehicles will not solve the climate crisis

Global electric car sales rose by 25% in 2024

DEMOCRACY
New material reveals unconventional superconductivity hallmark

Fresh, direct evidence for tiny drops of quark-gluon plasma

Unlocking the potential of lithium-sulfur batteries

US Department of Energy invests $107 million in fusion energy innovation

DEMOCRACY
IEA forecasts record nuclear electricity production in 2025

Mongolia signs landmark mining deal with French nuclear giant

Raw materials from nuclear waste

AI powers modeling of safer sustainable nuclear reactors

DEMOCRACY
Explained: Generative AI's environmental impact

Climate science-denying energy secretary nominee calls for expanding U.S. energy sector

US energy firm Constellation to buy Calpine in $27 bn deal

How hard is it to prevent recurring blackouts in Puerto Rico?

DEMOCRACY
Biden issues land protections after LA fires delay ceremony

Don't write off logged tropical forests - oil palm conversion impacts ecosystems widely

In Brazil, an Amazon reforestation project seeks to redeem carbon markets

Eyeing green legacy, Biden declares new US national monuments

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.