Tommy Cheung, chairperson of the pro-business Liberal Party and a non-official member of the Hong Kong Executive Council, becomes the latest Beijing loyalist caught in foreign sanctions against Carrie Lam’s administration.

In an interview on the television program Straight Talk, Cheung admitted his families have faced troubles in opening bank accounts in U.S. currency.

Members of the executive council are not listed among the Hong Kong and Chinese top officials sanctioned by the U.S., but at least one member, Regina Ip, has been diversifying her assets in the U.S. in anticipation of further moves.

“I don’t have assets, period, in any part of the world,” said Cheung. “I don’t like to be sanctioned. It affects my family, unfortunately. But being a politician already affects them.”

The legislator said his wife and children are having problems opening bank accounts even though they are not on the official sanctions list. “Because they know that I’m their father or her husband, it’s always taking longer, and some would rather not do business with you.”

He worried the measures will be extended to his offspring in the future. “It might extend to my grandchildren, you know, 20 years from now. I don’t know why, but this is how the world is doing it nowadays.”

According to the Register of Members' Interests, Cheung and his spouse own a residential property and a car parking space in Sha Tin and did not report any property overseas. He also does not hold seats on any boards or committees of foreign organizations or companies.

Click here for Chinese version.

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