YouTube has taken down the campaign channel of John LeeHong Kong’s top-ranking candidate, sanctions imposed on him by the U.S.

This rare action was taken by the platform. It is managed by GoogleAfter Washington had announced sanctions against Lee, and other countries, he enacted the following: Hong Kong and Chinese officials in 2020 over what it said were their roles in eroding the Chinese territory’s freedoms under a national security law that Beijing imposed earlier that year in response to months of anti-government protests.

A spokesperson for Google stated Wednesday that the company complied with all applicable U.S. sanction laws and enforced related policies under its Terms of Service. The Johnlee2022 YouTube channel was terminated after reviewing and being consistent with these policies.

Meta, another Facebook owner, claimed that Lee could keep a “demonetized existence” on Facebook or Instagram. It also stated that the company had taken steps against payment service abuses.

The YouTube channel was closed. first reported by The South China Morning Post.

Lee’s campaign team stated that they were “disappointed” with the decision.

It stated in a statement that the termination was a result of the U.S. government’s flagrant hegemonic tactics. He will continue his efforts to preserve national security, so the imposition of this so-called sanctions on Lee is not intended to intimidate.

According to the statement, the termination of the channel would not impact the campaign.

The statement said that Lee “will continue to use all his efforts to reach the public to discuss his platform and listen to their viewpoints through many different channels.”

Although services like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are prohibited in China, they can be accessed in Hong Kong. This is because Hong Kong was promised greater freedoms in accordance with the principle of “one country two systems”. The former British colony was re-established under Chinese control in 1997.

Critics argue that those freedoms are being severely restricted by the new national security law. This was adopted in June 2020. The laws makes crimes like secession, subversion and collusion with foreign troops punishable by life imprisonment.

Officials from the government have said that the law was necessary in order to stabilize the country after violent protests of 2019.

The U.S. Treasury Department placed sanctions against Lee, who was Hong Kong’s security secretary in August 2020. This included 10 others, including Chief Executive of the Territory. Carrie Lam“For undermining Hong Kong’s independence and restricting Hong Kong citizens’ freedom of speech or assembly.” Lee’s role in the implementation and enforcement of national security laws was being punished.

All assets of the U.S. government are frozen and Americans cannot do business with these officials.

Lee was promoted later to Chief Secretary, which is the No. 2 position in the city. 2 position. Lam told him she won’t be seeking a second term and he decided to resign.

A 1,500 member Election Committee chooses Hong Kong’s Chief Executive. Beijing now controls its composition after last year’s electoral reforms that ensured only loyal “patriots”. China could run.

Hong Kong’s prodemocracy legislators have been in exile, or are currently being held by the government since the crackdown on dissidents. legislative election in December drew record low turnout in what some said was an expression of voter antipathy. Two individuals were arrested for posting a Facebook message urging people to cast their votes in the election. They received two month suspended sentences.

Lee, 64-year-old Lee is a former career cop officer and has not released his manifesto yet for the chief executive race, scheduled to be held on May 8th after it was delayed from March by a coronavirus outbreak. Expect him to focus on security and has stated that Article 23 will be one of his highest priorities.