Washington, May 22 (PTI) Top American lawmakers on Thursday said that the Chinese efforts to impose a new national security law on Hong Kong threatens to erode its autonomy and the freedom that Hongkongers cherish.

US President Donald Trump said that he will address the issue when it happens.

"I don't know what it is because nobody knows yet. If it happens, we'll address that issue very strongly,” Trump told reporters when asked about his views on Chinese parliament poised to pass a national security law cracking down on Hong Kong.

“We'll have to see what happens. I haven't seen it yet. I've got a little briefing. But I'll have a statement to make at the appropriate time. Hong Kong's been through a lot,” Trump said in response to a question in Michigan where he was travelling.

However, top American lawmakers alleged that based on preliminary reports, the proposed law could criminalise protests and other freedoms under the guise of banning terrorism and foreign interference.

“By proposing national security laws for Hong Kong, the Chinese government and Communist Party will push Hong Kong's autonomy to the breaking point,” Senator Marco Rubio said.

“Congress provided the US government with powerful tools when it passed my bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and the administration should use this law to hold Beijing accountable for its interference in Hong Kong's internal affairs and violations of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. It is in the interest of the United States to respond swiftly to Beijing's repeated attacks on Hong Kongers, their autonomy, and their basic rights,” he said.

Senator Josh Hawley announced he will introduce a resolution condemning China's proposed "sweeping national security law" in Hong Kong that would ban subversion, sedition, and succession.

China's plan to circumvent Hong Kong's independent legal system with a far reaching, oppressive national security law is dangerous and in complete disregard of the principles of the ‘one country, two systems, Senator Ben Cardin said.

“Beijing's proposed national security law threatens to erode Hong Kong's autonomy and the freedoms that Hong Kongers cherish. Based on preliminary reports, the law could criminalize protests and other freedoms under the guise of banning terrorism and foreign interference,” said a joint statement issued by Congressmen Darin LaHood and Rick Larsen, co-chairs of the bipartisan US-China Working Group.

“China's plan must be met with criticism from the United States and all countries that share America's values of freedom of expression, rule of law, and accountable government,” they said.

In another joint statement Senators Rubio, Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations, and Cory Gardner that the proposed law will begin an unprecedented assault against Hong Kong's autonomy.

“The Basic Law states clearly that the authority to advance Article 23 legislation rests with the executive and legislative branches of the Hong Kong government, and not with Beijing. The Chinese government is once again breaking its promises to the people of Hong Kong and the international community,” they alleged. PTI LKJ SMN SMN 05220657 NNNNford Olympics Study 2016: Cost and Cost Overrun at the Games," in an email to the Associated Press, said the IOC should share more of the costs and termed it a "monopoly."

The study found the Olympics have the "highest average cost overrun of any type of mega-project."

Flyvbjerg said the IOC should "pick up a larger part of the bill for the games, which the IOC profits from. Tokyo and Japan will pick up the added cost, unless the IOC makes an exception and expands the reserve fund, which is what the IOC should do from an ethics point of view."

Tokyo was planning to use 42 venues for 33 sports. One extra venue was planned for the Paralympics. Muto said it was not clear how many venues would be available a year from now.

"Some venues we might have to keep renting until next year," he said.

"Because at some venues it takes about a year to get them ready. We can't take them down and then set them up again for the Olympics. That also means added costs."

The biggest headache could be the Athletes Village, which is to house 11,000 Olympians and staff, and 4,400 Paralympians and staff. The sprawling site on Tokyo Bay — 5,632 apartments — is to be sold off after the Olympics and reports say one-quarter have already been sold. Some cost more than $1 million.

One of the developers, Mitsui Fudosan Co., said it has suspended sales at the complex, which will include 23 buildings.

Even lining up 80,000 unpaid volunteers again could be expensive and create more work. The city of Tokyo was also planning to use 30,000 added volunteers to help fans find train lines, street addresses, and dish out general help for non-Japanese speakers.

Ticket demand has also been unprecedented with 7.8 million available, and demand exceeding supply by 10 times. Ticket sales are expected to raise about $1 billion for local organizers.

All tickets have a force majeure clause, which might get organizers off the hook of paying refunds if the coronavirus is deemed to be "beyond Tokyo 2020's reasonable control."

"We don't have a final conclusion about what our policy will be," Muto said.

"As much as possible, we want to make sure that people who have already bought tickets will get special consideration." (AP)

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