The United States sanctioned six Chinese and Hong Kong officials for alleged “transnational repression” and acts that threaten to further erode the southern Chinese city’s autonomy.

The individuals targeted by the US are all security or police officials, including Dong Jingwei, a senior figure in China’s Ministry of State Security, the country’s primary civilian intelligence organisation, and Raymond Siu, commissioner of Hong Kong’s police force. The others are Sonny Au, Dick Wong, Margaret Chiu and Paul Lam.

The United States has imposed sanctions against Chinese officials accused of committing human rights abuses in Hong Kong as it released its latest report on Beijing's influence over the city.