China has
warned the US it could take "firm counter-measures" if Washington
continues to show support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
The warning
came after US President Donald Trump signed the Human Rights and Democracy Act
into law.
The act
mandates an annual review, to check if Hong Kong has enough autonomy to justify
special status with the US.
Mr Trump is
currently seeking a deal with China, in order to end a trade war between the
two countries.
"The US
has been disregarding facts and distorting truth," a Chinese foreign
ministry statement said.
"It
openly backed violent criminals who rampantly smashed facilities, set fire,
assaulted innocent civilians, trampled on the rule of law, and jeopardised
social order."
The ministry
threatened "counter measures" if the US continued "going down
the wrong path".
What are the
implications of the bill?
The new law
requires Washington to monitor Beijing's actions in Hong Kong. The US could
revoke the special trading status it has granted the territory if China
undermines the city's rights and freedoms.
Among other
things, Hong Kong's special status means it is not affected by US sanctions or
tariffs placed on the mainland.
The bill
also says the US should allow Hong Kong residents to obtain US visas if they
have been arrested for being part of non-violent protests.
Analysts say
the move could complicate negotiations between China and America to end their
trade war.
What has the
reaction been?
China's
foreign ministry summoned the US ambassador to demand that Washington stops
interfering in Chinese internal affairs.
Hong Kong's
government also reacted, saying the American bill would send the wrong signal
and would not help to ease the situation.
But a key
activist in the Hong Kong protest movement, Joshua Wong, said the US law was a
"remarkable achievement" for "all Hong Kongers".
How did the
bill come about?
The bill was
introduced in June in the early stages of the protests in Hong Kong, and was
overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives last month.
Mr Trump
said he signed it "out of respect for President Xi Jin Ping of China, and
the people of Hong Kong".
He had
previously been non-committal, saying he was "with" Hong Kong but
also that Mr Xi was "an incredible guy".
However, the
bill had widespread congressional support, which meant that even if he vetoed
it, lawmakers could potentially have voted to overturn his decision.
The
president also signed a second bill, which bans the export of crowd-control
munitions to the police in Hong Kong - including tear gas, rubber bullets and
stun guns.
"[The
bills] are being enacted in the hope that leaders and representatives of China
and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences, leading to
long-term peace and prosperity for all," Mr Trump said.
What is the
situation in Hong Kong?
The US move
comes amid a lull in protests following a pro-democracy landslide in local
elections.
Hong Kong's
protests started in June against a proposed law to allow extradition to
mainland China but it has since transformed into a larger pro-democracy
movement.
The protests
have also seen increasingly violent clashes, with police being attacked, and
officers firing live bullets.
Protesters
have thrown petrol bombs and attacked businesses seen as being pro-Beijing.
The
protesters, meanwhile, have accused police of brutality.
On Sunday,
Hong Kong held local council elections that were seen as a barometer of public
opinion towards the government and the protesters.
The
elections saw a landslide victory for the pro-democracy movement, with 17 of
the 18 councils now controlled by pro-democracy councillors.
On Thursday,
authorities moved into the Polytechnic University days after it had been the
site of a fierce standoff between student activists and riot police.
The police
said they had found hundreds of petrol bombs and other home-made devices, and
were dusting them for fingerprints.
A search
found no remaining activists at the site but it is thought there could still be
about a dozen people still hiding inside.
Source: BBC News
