Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff via flickr
"I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi (PRC President Xi Jinping), China and the people of Hong Kong. The bills are being put into effect in the hope that the leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to peacefully resolve the differences, which will contribute to a common long-term peace and prosperity," Trump said in a statement.
As reported, the House of Representatives and the Senate of the US Congress previously agreed and approved the bill on human rights and democracy in Hong Kong in support of protests in the city.
In accordance with the document, the Department of State must confirm to Congress at least once a year that Hong Kong maintains sufficient autonomy to maintain favorable conditions for trade with the United States. It also provides for sanctions against city authorities for violating human rights.
The second bill prohibits supplying the Hong Kong police with means that can be used to disperse demonstrations: tear and pepper gases, rubber bullets and stun guns. Both documents were handed over to President for signature.
Congressional approval of bills provoked strong protests in Beijing.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang summoned US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad this week and vigorously protested adoption of the bill.
The Chinese diplomat emphasized that "Hong Kong is Chinese Hong Kong, all Hong Kong affairs relate to the internal affairs of China, not a single foreign state has the right to intervene in them."
He said: "The US Congress openly intervenes in China’s internal affairs, neglects the facts, exaggerates, condones and supports violent crimes and chaos by anti-Chinese forces, which grossly violates international law and fundamental norms of international relations. The Chinese side expresses deep indignation and protests in this regard."
The deputy minister called on the US side to "immediately correct the mistakes in order to stop the aforementioned Hong Kong bill and stop any statements and interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and the internal affairs of China."
“Otherwise, all responsibility for the consequences will fall on the American side,” Zheng Zeguang warned.
source: cnbc.com
As reported, the House of Representatives and the Senate of the US Congress previously agreed and approved the bill on human rights and democracy in Hong Kong in support of protests in the city.
In accordance with the document, the Department of State must confirm to Congress at least once a year that Hong Kong maintains sufficient autonomy to maintain favorable conditions for trade with the United States. It also provides for sanctions against city authorities for violating human rights.
The second bill prohibits supplying the Hong Kong police with means that can be used to disperse demonstrations: tear and pepper gases, rubber bullets and stun guns. Both documents were handed over to President for signature.
Congressional approval of bills provoked strong protests in Beijing.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang summoned US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad this week and vigorously protested adoption of the bill.
The Chinese diplomat emphasized that "Hong Kong is Chinese Hong Kong, all Hong Kong affairs relate to the internal affairs of China, not a single foreign state has the right to intervene in them."
He said: "The US Congress openly intervenes in China’s internal affairs, neglects the facts, exaggerates, condones and supports violent crimes and chaos by anti-Chinese forces, which grossly violates international law and fundamental norms of international relations. The Chinese side expresses deep indignation and protests in this regard."
The deputy minister called on the US side to "immediately correct the mistakes in order to stop the aforementioned Hong Kong bill and stop any statements and interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and the internal affairs of China."
“Otherwise, all responsibility for the consequences will fall on the American side,” Zheng Zeguang warned.
source: cnbc.com