Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor holds a press conference at Central Government Offices on Aug 18, 2020. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Tuesday that the Hong Kong government would file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the latest US sanctions imposed on the special administrative region.

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Goods made in the financial hub for export to the United States will need to be labeled as made in China after Sept 25, according to a US government notice posted last week.

The US also sanctioned 11 officials from the mainland and Hong Kong over the enactment of the National Security Law in the city.

Speaking to reporters before an Executive Council meeting, Lam reiterated that the sanctions were totally unjustified as Hong Kong is a separate member of the World Trade Organization.

We will continue to do what is right for the country and for Hong Kong.

Carrie Lam, Chief Executive, HKSAR

"Hong Kong is a separate member of the World Trade Organization, to be mistreated by another member of the World Trade Organization breaches the rules and regulations of this international body," Lam said.

Lam said her administration would lodge a complaint against the US sanctions, particularly those involving trade.

She added she was not too bothered by US sanctions against her. 

"Despite some inconvenience in my personal affairs, it is nothing I would take to heart," Lam told the weekly news conference.

"We will continue to do what is right for the country and for Hong Kong.” 

The sanctions froze any US assets of the 11 officials targeted and barred Americans from doing business with them. 

Lam said that while she could not travel to the United States herself, her government would continue to promote Hong Kong to US businesses.

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She also said the government’s decision to postpone elections for the city’s legislature for a year amid a resurgence in coronavirus cases was criticized by countries that did not level similar criticisms at other governments that also postponed polls due to the pandemic.

With inputs from Agencies