China on HKong bill passed by US Congress

(16 Oct 2019) China says it will take "strong countermeasures" to defend its sovereignty in reaction to a Hong Kong bill passed by the United States Congress.

"We express strong indignation on and firm opposition to the U.S. House of Representative's passage of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy," said Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a regular press conference on Wednesday in Beijing.

The U.S. House passed three bills Tuesday aimed at showing support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

The action follows months of protests over the Beijing government's attempts to enforce control over the semi-autonomous territory.

One of the bills condemns China's intrusions into Hong Kong's affairs and supports the right of people to protest.

Another requires annual reviews by the U.S. secretary of state of Hong Kong's special economic and trade status, providing a check on Beijing's influence over the territory.

A third bill would ensure that U.S. weapons are not being used against protesters by police.

Geng also commented on an ongoing territorial dispute with Vietnam in the South China Sea, a terrorist group in Syria, and denuclearisation efforts in the Korean Peninsula.



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