Hong Kong Watch pushes for lifeboat schemes in Washington D.C.

Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive Benedict Rogers visited Washington D.C. in February 2022. During the visit, we met with officials from the State Department and Members of Congress to update them on Hong Kong’s recent human rights and political developments, and to continue to push for lifeboat policies for Hongkongers. Aside from that, we also met with representatives from think tanks, non-governmental organizations and the diaspora Hong Kong communities.

Benedict Rogers met with United States Congressman Chris Smith in Washington, DC to discuss the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong. Congressman Smith, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and former Co-Chair of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, is a longstanding and leading champion of human rights."

In our meeting with Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation’s CEO Ambassador Andrew Bremberg, who previously served as the United States’ Representative to the Office of the United Nations and Director of Government Relations Kristina Olney, we highlighted the encroachments on academic freedom and religious freedom in Hong Kong under the National Security Law.

We also met with Hongkonger groups in the States including the Hong Kong Democracy Council, Hong Kong Professional Network’s co-founders Matthew and Brian, Hong Kong Social Action Movements’ Director Chris Choi. We talked about ways to strengthen the diaspora Hong Kong network and empower Hongkongers in exile. Hong Kong Watch hopes to continue deepening ties with Hong Kong communities across the globe.