HKSAR government condemns U.S. Congress HK bill

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government strongly condemned the U.S. Congress for passing a Hong Kong-related bill, one day after it slammed the U.S. Senate for passing the same bill, saying it does not help in quelling the unrest.

A view of the Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong. [File Photo: VCG]

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act on Wednesday by 417 to 1, a day after the Senate passed the same bill.

It will now go before U.S. President Donald Trump for his signature. Bloomberg reported that a person familiar with the bill said Trump plans to sign it.

The bill requires the U.S. president to annually review the favorable trade status that Washington grants to Hong Kong, and threatens to revoke the coveted status that the special administrative region enjoys with the United States if its freedoms are quashed.

HKSAR government Thursday expressed its strong opposition to the bill, pointing out that the bill not only meddles in Hong Kong's affairs but also sends the wrong message to violent protesters.

"The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the other act on Hong Kong are unnecessary and unwarranted. They will also harm the relations and common interests between Hong Kong and the United States," said a HKSAR government statement.

Beijing expressed strong condemnation and firm opposition on Wednesday, with its Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu summoning William Klein, acting charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, to lodge stern representations and strong protest against the U.S. Senate passing the bill.

China's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday following the vote that urged the U.S. side to immediately take measures to prevent this act from becoming law, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs. It warned of "strong countermeasures" if Trump signs the bill into law.

The HKSAR government and six Beijing offices also voiced their "strong condemnation" for Washington's meddling in Beijing's internal affairs and for their public support for violent rioters who have seriously destroyed the peace and stability of Hong Kong.