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US President Donald Trump has signed a bill that supports pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, a move that is bound to anger China.
PTI reported that the legislation proposes to impose sanctions on officials committing human rights violations against pro-democracy supporters in Hong Kong. It was passed by both the chambers of the US Congress House of Representatives (417-1) and the Senate unanimously.
The ‘Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019’, which reaffirms and amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, specifies US policy towards Hong Kong, directs assessment of the political developments in Hong Kong, and other purposes.
“I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong,” Trump, who had indicated earlier this week that he would not sign the bill, said in a statement.
“They 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,” the president said.
