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Updated October 16th, 2019 at 23:11 IST

US may end Hong Kong Special Trading Status; China hits back

The US House of Representatives passed a bill on October 15 at the request of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong which has the aim of defending human rights.

Reported by: Divyam Jain
US may end Hong Kong Special Trading Status; China hits back
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The US House of Representatives passed a bill on October 15 at the request of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong which has the objective of defending civilian rights in the semi-autonomous territory. The move witnessed a quick reply from China. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which will move to the Senate before it becomes law, has got rare bipartisan support in a divided Congress. 

Read: Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam Slams US Senator For "Police State" Remark

China to the US: Stop meddling

Reports say that the law shall end Hong Kong special trading status unless State Department verifies annually that city administration is respecting human rights and the rule of law. China hit back saying that it has strong indignation over the passing of the act which also requires the US President to identify and sanction people who are guilty of eradicating autonomy and serious human rights violations in Hong Kong.

Chinese Foreign Minister Geng Shuang in a statement said that what Hong Kong faces is not the so-called human rights and democracy issue at all but the issue of stopping violence, reinstating order and upholding rule of law as soon as possible. Geng said that the US must stop meddling and warned that China shall take strong measures against the proposed Hong Kong bill. The act shall now go to the Senate, where it will face a vote before it can become a law.

Read: US Senator Warns Hong Kong Becoming 'police State' As Thousands Rally

Read: Hong Kong Gears Up For Pro-democracy Rally After Weekend Of Unrest

Backdrop

China has been pinning blame on 'external forces' for instigating weeks of protests in the global financial hub. Millions of protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong initially for a now-dropped law by leaders to allow extraditions to the authoritarian Chinese mainland. The focus of the protests has shifted to a broader push towards a pro-democracy cause in the region where activists reportedly claim that freedoms are being gradually taken away by Beijing. 

(With PTI inputs)

Read: Hong Kong Protesters Plan Assemblies In 18 Districts

Read: US Company Criticised For Supplying Riot Gear To Hong Kong Police

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Published October 16th, 2019 at 13:24 IST

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