The bills were signed as Hong Kong continues to be gripped by turmoil amid widespread discontent over Chinese rule in the special administrative region. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act mandates sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who carry out human rights abuses and requires an annual review of the favorable trade status that Washington grants Hong Kong. "The act reaffirms and amends the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, specifies United States policy towards Hong Kong, and directs assessment of the political developments in Hong Kong,” Trump said in a statement. The statement also claimed that all the people of Hong Kong and China oppose the move, but did not specify how Beijing would respond. As long as freedom-seekers fill the streets of Hong Kong, the American people will take their side."

Source: Fox News November 27, 2019 23:48 UTC