In 2019, a member of the office tried to block pro-independence
Andy Chan from speaking at an event. On 2 March 2021, Song Ruan, then the deputy commissioner of the office, was the guest of honor at a private dinner at a Wan Chai social club to celebrate his departure from the position, and attendees were later fined for breaking COVID-19 social gathering restrictions. In April 2021, a spokesman for the office commented on US ambassador
Hanscom Smith's criticism of Hong Kong's arrest of
Jimmy Lai, stating that "No external forces are allowed to comment on the Hong Kong court's lawful judgment on people such as Lai. The US envoy has damaged the rule of law by glorifying and justifying their acts." Also in April 2021, the deputy commissioner, Fang Jianming, said that the government was ready to strike back at calls from
Chris Patten to sanction government officials "responsible for the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong." In September 2021, the Office published a list of more than 100 "crimes" that the United States committed against Hong Kong. It listed an instance where the US Consulate in Hong Kong had put electric candles in its windows on 4 June 2021, in remembrance of the
1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, as an offense. In September 2022, the Office criticized the
FCC, saying "The FCC and some Western politicians ignored the facts and took every opportunity to attack the SAR government and supported anti-China forces in Hong Kong, which fully exposed their intention of meddling with the rule of law in the SAR and disrupting Hong Kong in the name of press freedom. Their tricks will bite the dust." In January 2023, the Office said that the UK should stop issuing its half-yearly reports on Hong Kong, saying the reports "grossly interfered with Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and seriously trampled on international law." One of the reports stated that "Freedoms are being systematically eroded by Beijing on multiple fronts, tightening the restrictions on the lives of ordinary Hongkongers." In 2022, it was reported that the Office asked
consular missions in Hong Kong about their floor plans, lease details, and staff residences, and also asked to inspect new premises before staff enter them. In September 2023, the Office further asked consulates in Hong Kong to provide information on all locally employed staff, including copies of their ID cards. == See also ==