Hong Kong, China Warn U.S. After House Vote

Date: 16 October 2019 - 22:14

News ID: ۷۱۷۸۶

HONG KONG (Dispatches) — Hong Kong’s leader expressed "frustration and disappointment and regret” Wednesday over steps by the U.S. Congress to support riots in the territory and warned they’ll hurt American companies operating there.
Reinforcing that criticism, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stressed Beijing’s indignation over Congress’ move and promised countermeasures.
The House passed three bills Tuesday supporting violent protest and opposing Chinese handling of Hong Kong’s affairs. It follows months of increasingly violent riots over Beijing’s attempts to practice its authority in the Chinese territory.
China has vociferously denounced criticism of the Hong Kong government’s handling of the protests as unwarranted interference into its domestic affairs. The territory was handed over from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
In Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said, "This Hong Kong human rights and democracy act is totally unjustified and unwarranted.”
The legislation would "hurt not only the Hong Kong business. It will hurt American interests in Hong Kong. They have 1,400 companies, 85,000 citizens in Hong Kong,” Lam said.
One of the U.S. bills condemns China’s involvement in Hong Kong’s affairs and supports protests. Another requires annual reviews by the U.S. secretary of state of Hong Kong’s special economic and trade status, providing a check on Beijing’s influence over the territory. A third bill would ensure that U.S. weapons are not being used against protesters by police.
All three bills were approved on separate voice votes.
In his remarks to reporters at a daily briefing in Beijing, Geng said, "We express strong indignation on and firm opposition” to the legislation.
"I would like to stress again that in response to the U.S.’s wrong decisions and wrong practice harming China’s interests, we will definitely take strong countermeasures to defend our sovereignty,” Geng said.
Under U.S. law, Hong Kong receives special treatment in matters of trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation and more. China has benefited from this special status and used it to evade U.S. export controls and sanctions, according to U.S. lawmakers, including speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
The three bills passed in the House now head to the Senate. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he had no scheduling announcement.