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WORLD NEWS Friday 29 November 2019

Angry China weighs options as Trump backs Hong Kong bills

BEIJING (AP) — China's paralyzed parts of the city
fury over President Donald with mass transport disrup-
Trump's decision to sign tions, university occupa-
legislation supporting hu- tions and clashes with po-
man rights in Hong Kong is lice, amounts to backing
evident. What's less clear for "violent criminals."
is what "countermeasures" In a reflection of Beijing's
Beijing may take in re- assertion that the protests
sponse to what it said Thurs- are part of a foreign con-
day were "extremely evil" spiracy, the ministry said
and dangerous moves. the legislation should unite
Before signing the bills, Chinese, including those in
Trump said he was con- Hong Kong, in opposition to
cerned that trade talks with "sinister" U.S. intentions.
China might be disrupted. The legislation includes a
Analysts say the potential provision that could pro-
consequences could ex- foundly alter U.S. treatment
tend well beyond the cur- of Hong Kong as a sepa-
rent round of negotiations rate territory for trade if an
in the tariff war between annual review by the State
the world's two largest Department determines it
economies. no longer has enough au-
The Hong Kong Human tonomy from the Chinese
Rights and Democracy Act mainland.
of 2019 passed both houses That could "have a hugely
of Congress nearly unani- negative impact on inves-
mously. It amends a law tors in Hong Kong, no mat-
passed in 1992 to buttress ter if they're from Hong
the former British colony's Kong, mainland China or
status as a semi-autono- other countries," said Shi
mous region after China Yinhong, an expert on in- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang gestures as he speaks during a daily briefing
took control in 1997. ternational relations at Ren- at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Beijing, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019.
It's that special status that min University's School of Associated Press
has enabled Hong Kong International Studies.
residents to take to the Trade with China would dealings with North Korea there was no new informa- has been incensed by U.S.
streets in massive, often vio- suffer more, given Hong and Iran, recalling the Chi- tion to offer. moves on Taiwan and oth-
lent protests in the past six Kong's status as an impor- nese ambassador to the So far, the two sides have er issues.
months, exercising civil lib- tant financial center — a U.S. or even downgrading sought to keep Hong Kong The best that can be hoped
erties the ruling Communist role that has been growing diplomatic ties, Shi said. and trade issues separate, for right now is to keep rela-
Party prohibits in mainland as relations between China Trump is due to raise tariffs said Tu Xinquan of the Uni- tions at their current chilly
China. and the U.S. have dete- on $160 billion worth of Chi- versity of International Busi- level and wait to see if the
The law calls for sanctions riorated amid their bruising nese products, including ness and Economics. legislation leads to actual
against Chinese and Hong trade war. smartphones and laptops, "China doesn't want to action by Washington.
Kong officials deemed to "The most needed prospect as of Dec. 15. Officials on connect the two things to- Like the proverbial sword of
have abused human rights. of certainty for business will both sides were suggesting gether," said Tu. "China be- Damocles, it might not fall,
A separate law bans ex- vanish," said Shi, who ex- a preliminary deal to ease lieves trade issues should said Tu.
ports of tear gas, pepper pects China to adopt a trade tensions was within not be politicized." "If the U.S. takes sanctions
spray, rubber bullets, water tougher stance on trade striking distance and it's un- Trump has not devoted against Hong Kong based
cannons, tasers and other and other issues. clear if the U.S. move will much attention to Hong on those future reviews,
"nonlethal" weapons often Apart from balking at fur- directly affect those nego- Kong, and Chinese lead- China will take counter-
used in riot control. ther trade talks, Beijing's tiations. ers likely understand he measures," he said. "The
China's foreign ministry said options for retaliation could A Chinese Commerce Min- had little option politically kind of measures will de-
the support for the pro- include refusing to coop- istry spokesman, asked at a but to sign the legislation. pend on how serious the
testers, who have at times erate with Washington in weekly news briefing, said It's not the first time Beijing U.S. actions are."q