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Trump signs two bills supporting Hong Kong Protests

On Wednesday, the United States President Donald Trump signed two bills into law backing the protestors of Hong Kong, instead of frequent objections from Beijing. In a statement released by White House, Trump said that he signed these two bills out of respect for Chinese President Xi, and the Hong Kong people. They endorsed in the hope that Leaders, as well as Representatives of Hong Kong and China, will able to politely settle their differences leading to long term prosperity and peace for all.

Trump signed both bills as he attempts to reach a trade deal’s phase one with Beijing, which repeatedly condemned the lawmaking as interfering in its national affairs. After few hours of signing bills, China issued statements smashing the bills, saying they highlight the threatening intentions and hegemonic nature of the U.S. A spokesperson of the government also said both bills would send the wrong message to protestors, providing no help to ease the situation of Hong Kong. Congress sent the bills last week to the president’s desk; afterward, both chambers passed the law with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The first bill needed the State Department of the United States to certify one in the year that Hong Kong appropriately autonomous to retain its special United States trading consideration, a status that backs its economy. Under that title, the city is not subject to the tariffs that levy on China. Furthermore, the bill also makes the potential for authorizations on citizens in charge of human rights abuse in HK. Whereas, the second bill would ban the sale of munitions like rubber bullets and tear gas to the police of Hong Kong.

Copyright: CNBC

A short history of Protests in Hong Kong

Hong Kong was an ex British colony and returned to the rule of China in 1997. It engulfed in months of protest against the government. Primarily sparked by a bill that would enable deportation to mainland China, the protests transformed into wider anti-government demonstrations, including a broader range of demands like universal suffrage and greater democracy. As the anti-government protests more usually lapsed into violence, the lawmakers of the United States gradually criticized the response of China to the protests. The Wednesday statement of Trump echoes his previous comments that China must handle the Hong Kong situation itself. However, he also warned that strict treatment of the citizens in Hong Kong might disrupt trade negotiations.

The U.S has an authentic tool to discourage Beijing interference into Hong Kong internal Affairs

One of the main sponsors of the Hong Kong rights bill, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said he congratulates Trump for signing this serious regulation into law. Now, the United States has the latest and meaningful tools to discourage further interference and influence from Beijing into the internal affairs of Hong Kong. Rubio said in a statement, following historic elections of last weekend in Hong Kong that contained within record turnout, this latest law might not be timelier in showing strong support of the United States for long-cherished freedoms of Hong Kong residentials.

During the weekend, the democrats of Hong Kong swept elections of district council as about 2.94 million casts their votes, a record turnout of around 71.2%. Whereas those seats mainly focus on local matters like bus routes, few district councilors will also join the Election Committee that nominates as well as votes on contenders for the leader of the city. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, said that the lawmaking is a major move forward in holding the Chinese Communist Party responsible for its erosion of autonomy of Hong Kong and its suppression of fundamental human rights.