While offering no concessions to US demands, he called for close trade relations between the two countries. Nor is it willing to back down, reflecting divisions in Beijing between hawks and more moderating forces. Less than 24 hours later, the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature, did precisely what Pompeo had railed against: authorising new security laws in Hong Kong. The commander of the People’s Liberation Army’s garrison in Hong Kong delivered a pointed reminder of its duty to keep the peace there on the sidelines of the congress in Beijing this week. “Beijing will stick with its new policy toward Hong Kong regardless of US reactions and is prepared to take countermeasures in a tit-for-tat manner,” he said.

Source: bd News24 May 29, 2020 01:07 UTC