China angry as Trump signs law backing Hong Kong activists
Beijing accuses US president of ‘arrogance’ and ‘sinister intentions’
Donald Trump has signed into law a bill that backs the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
The Human Rights and Democracy Act instructs an annual review, to check if Hong Kong has enough autonomy to validate its special status with the US.
The legislation threatens sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials deemed responsible for human rights abuses in Hong Kong. It was approved unanimously by the US Senate and by all but one lawmaker in the House of Representatives last week.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Guardian says the law “further escalates tensions between Beijing and the US whose ties have dramatically deteriorated over the last year amid a protracted trade war”.
However, writing for Bloomberg, Eli Lake says: “This bill is meant to send a message to the officers and soldiers garrisoned inside Hong Kong: If you engage in violence against demonstrators, you will be held accountable.”
Although the US president said he signed the law “out of respect for President Xi [Jinping], China, and the people of Hong Kong”, his move has been criticised by both Beijing and Hong Kong’s government.
China's foreign ministry said the bill is “full of prejudice and arrogance” and accused the US of “sinister intentions”. It warned it would take “firm counter measures”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
However, a leader of the Hong Kong protest movement, Joshua Wong, said the law was a “remarkable achievement” for “all Hongkongers”.
Trump also signed a second bill passed by Congress, which bans the export to the Hong Kong police of crowd-control munitions, such as teargas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and stun guns.
Speaking of the new pieces of legislation, Trump said: “They are being enacted in the hope that leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all.”
CNN says that Hong Kong protesters will hold a celebratory, pro-US rally today, with one leading activist describing the new US legislation as a “timely Thanksgiving present”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Melting polar ice is messing with global timekeeping
Speed Read Ice loss caused by climate change is slowing the Earth's rotation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Stick guitar
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'Sports executives ushered a fox into the henhouse'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Hong Kong passes tough new security law
Speed Read It will allow the government to further suppress all forms of dissent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump and his lawyer Alina Habba have a rough day in defamation court
Speed Read Trump's audible grousing as E. Jean Carroll testified earned him a warning he could be thrown out of court, and Habba showed she 'doesn't know what the hell she's doing'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
E. Jean Carroll seeks further damages from Trump over CNN remarks
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
E. Jean Carroll may sue Trump over 'foul' CNN remarks
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Judge: Grand jurors in Georgia Trump probe must tread lightly, but can discuss final report
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
4 Oath Keepers found guilty of seditious conspiracy
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Where is sex before marriage illegal?
feature Indonesia is the latest country to ban sex outside of wedlock
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
New law makes all South Koreans younger
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Published