Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a law on Wednesday November 26th, 2019, which supports Hong Kong's months-long protest movement. This is seen as a moral victory for anti-government demonstrators in the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong.
The new law will require the US to annually confirm that Hong Kong's special freedoms are being maintained by Beijing -- failure to do so could result in Washington withdrawing the city's special status, a massive blow to the Hong Kong economy.
The bill also lays out a process for the President to impose sanctions and travel restrictions on those who are found to be knowingly responsible for arbitrary detention, torture and forced confession of any individual in Hong Kong, or other violations of internationally recognized human rights in the Asian financial hub.
In a personal signing statement, U. S. President Donald Trump is quoted as saying;
I have signed the bills "out of respect for President Xi (Jinping), China, and the people of Hong Kong.
“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 U.S. Congress, which is often divided along party lines was remarkably united in the condemnation of human rights abuses and the use of economic sanctions to pressure the governments of Hong Kong and China.
This posted tweeted on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shortsegments/status/1200699381256605696