On Thursday, China's disputed Hong Kong security team received green light at the Chinese People's Congress. The Security Act is seen as a major blow to the principle that Hong Kong can be partially self-governing with greater freedom of press and expression.

Lifted in the UN Security Council

The principle was adhered to by the transfer from the UK to China in 1997. And the UK has also reacted strongly to the message. Together with the United States, they raised the issue in the UN Security Council on Friday. But Russia and China responded by pointing to the ongoing demonstrations in Minneapolis.

"Why should the US deny China its right to maintain peace in Hong Kong while brutally dispelling protesters there at home," said Dmitry Poljanskij, Russia's deputy UN ambassador.

Trump reacts strongly

At the same time, US stock exchanges dropped in anticipation of how US President Donald Trump would respond to the Security Act. Concerns have been great about how the president's reaction would affect the US-China relationship.

And Donald Trump did not spare the gun when he criticized China in a harsh words during a press conference on Friday night Swedish time.

"They broke their promise to secure Hong Kong's autonomy," the president says.

Donald Trump, who is expected to portray China as the big enemy in this fall's election campaign, then went on to criticize China for everything from the corona pandemic to corporate espionage.

"A tragedy for the people"

As a direct response to the Security Act, Trump said he will remove privileges Hong Kong previously held in relations with the United States. US travel recommendations on Hong Kong should be amended to meet the "increased risk of surveillance". He also plans to impose sanctions on city officials who were involved in the decision. He does not say exactly what people he is referring to.

"What China has done is a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong, China and the world," Donald Trump said.

In the EU, the tone was not as harsh. Sweden, on demand from the opposition, was alone in demanding that the EU proceed with sanctions.