11/27/2019

CHINA/HONG KONG/LEGISLATION/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Trump on Wednesday [11-27-19] signed tough legislation that authorizes sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials responsible for human rights abuses in Hong Kong, signaling support for pro-democracy activists and escalating tensions with Beijing as Mr. Trump tries to negotiate a trade deal with Chinese leaders. China’s Foreign Ministry was furious, saying the bill ‘seriously interfered with Hong Kong affairs, seriously interfered with China’s internal affairs, and seriously violated international law and basic norms of international relations.’ The ministry warned the United States against acting arbitrarily and said that any consequences would ‘be borne by the United States.’ Whether Mr. Trump would sign the legislation had been a subject of debate.”

Emily Cochrane, Edward Wong and Keith Bradsher, “Trump Signs Hong Kong Democracy Legislation, Angering China,” The New York Times online, November 27, 2019