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Trump signs bill backing Hong Kong protestors

Despite China’s stern opposition, US President Donald Trump signs bill supporting pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong.
Despite China’s stern opposition, US President Donald Trump signs bill supporting pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, the US President Donald Trump signed a bill in support of the pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong. However, China issues stern warnings saying that it would retaliate with “countermeasures” if the legislation became law. China also mentions that President Trump’s approval will consider as meddling with Beijing’s domestic affairs.

According to reports, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, 2019 will became a law only after it gets veto-proof majority both in House and in Senate.

The legislation bars the individuals who commit human rights violations in Hong Kong from entering the United States of America. Along with this, it also slaps them with economic sanctions.

The legislation also mandates the State Department to furnish an annual report to lawmakers on whether Hong Kong remains “sufficiently autonomous” from China.

The legislation mentions about banning of export of certain munitions to Hong Kong police.

President Trump in a statement said that “I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong.” President Trump mentions that both China and Hong Kong “will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all.”

The move is likely to create friction in the already strained ties between Washington and Beijing. This will also impact delicate talks between the two countries regarding ending of the trade war.

President Trump asserted last week that Hong Kong “would have been obliterated in 14 minutes” if he had not used the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong as leverage in trade negotiations with China.

Foreign ministry of China on Monday summoned US Ambassador to Beijing Terry Branstad and lodged a protest against the passing of the bill saying it will be taken as interference in internal matter of China.