11/27/2019

CHINA/HONG KONG/PROTESTS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law here congressional bills that back protesters in Hong Kong and threaten China with possible sanctions on human rights, prompting China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday [11-28-19] to warn of ‘firm counter measures’. Mass protests for more democracy and autonomy have rocked the former British colony and more than 5,800 people have been arrested since June, with the escalating violence raising fears that China will ratchet up its response to end the unrest. The ‘Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,’ which the Senate and House passed last week, puts the special treatment Hong Kong enjoys under U.S. law under tighter scrutiny linked to the extent of the territory’s autonomy from Beijing. A second bill, which Trump also signed, bans the export to the Hong Kong police of crowd-control munitions, such as teargas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and stun guns.”

Reuters Staff, “Trump signs Hong Kong bills; Beijing vows retaliation: Now what?,” Reuters, November 27, 2019 8:33 pm