A group of Kiwis from Hong Kong campaigning against China's National Security Law says the US election is "possibly our biggest hope" for things to turn around in Hong Kong.
The 'We are Kiwi Hong Kongers' pro-democracy group says the US can help confront China over the threat against Hong Kong citizens, if Trump were to be re-elected.
"The US election is possibly our biggest hope for things to turn around in Hong Kong," a media representative who did not want to be named, told Newshub.
"Our biggest realistic hope to free Hong Kong is via the pressure they will face on the international relations stage."
"It seems likely that the strong stance confronting the transformation of Hong Kong will continue if Trump is re-elected," they said.
"This will hopefully lead to more countries joining in with greater efforts to pressure the CCP in changing its actions."
In May, President Donald Trump said China's decision to introduce the security law in Hong Kong replaces "its promised formula of 'one country, two systems'."
"This is a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong, the people of China, and indeed the people of the world," Trump said.
The National Security Law has tightened the freedom of expression for Hong Kong residents and has given China powers to shape Hong Kong and kill pro-democracy movements.
"As Kiwis who have grown up in Hong Kong," the pro-democracy group said, "it's hard to accept that, despite all the possible efforts from everyone in support of the democracy movements, the city is no longer the one we once knew."
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In July, the United States threatened Beijing with new countermeasures after they imposed the security law on Hong Kong.
Mike Pomeo, US Secretary of State said in July, "today marks a sad day for Hong Kong, and for freedom-loving people across China."
"Per President Trump's instruction, we will eliminate policy exemptions that give Hong Kong different and special treatment, with a few exceptions."
"The US will not stand idly by while China swallows Hong Kong into its authoritarian maw."
"[China] promised 50 years of freedom to the Hong Kong people, and gave them only 23."
The pro-democracy group says while it is difficult to determine whether Trump's administration will continue confronting China if re-elected, it would be even more difficult if Biden were elected.
"Biden's relatively more China-friendly stance suggests there will likely bring a big pause, if not a reversal on the efforts against China's human rights issues."
Dr Reuben Steff, Senior Lecturer on Foreign Policy, International Relations and Global Security at the University of Waikato says Hong Kong is dominated by China.
"There is little the US can do to help Hong Kong at this stage; Hong Kong is now dominated by China."
Dr Steff says it's unlikely the Republicans will commit to pressuring the CCP to change its actions, even if re-elected.
"Pompeo has spent much of this year criticising China, framing the differences between the West and China in stark, ideological terms," he says.
"Trump, on the other hand, has called what is happening in Hong Kong a 'tragedy' however, the president shows no genuine personal commitment to upholding or promoting human rights in Hong Kong; he'd rather do trade deals than pick fights over human rights."
There are also doubts Biden will take strong and meaningful actions to support the city.
"While I doubt Biden will 'side' with China on the issue, I don't think he will take strong and meaningful actions to support the city and its citizens."
