Hong Kong human rights law enacted China suggests retaliation measures Deepening conflict between the United States and China unavoidable November 28 19:49
US President Trump signed the Hong Kong Human Rights Bill and the law was enacted. On the other hand, the Chinese government calls an American ambassador stationed in Beijing to convey the idea of not resigning from retaliation, and it is inevitable that the conflict between the United States and China will deepen.
The White House in the United States announced on 27th that President Trump has signed the "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Bill" to help establish human rights and democracy in Hong Kong.
The enacted legislation allows sanctions to Chinese officials involved in human rights suppression in Hong Kong and verifies to the US government that the two governments that allowed Hong Kong to have a high degree of autonomy have not been compromised by the Chinese government. Is the content you want.
Trump President issued a statement signed when, after a "Xi Jinping Jintao and signed with great respect to the Hong Kong people", amicably overcome the differences "China and Hong Kong of the leaders of the position, the long-term I hope it will lead to peace and prosperity. "
On the 28th, China's Foreign Ministry, Deputy Secretary Shigeru Gakutama called the American Ambassador Branstad, who was stationed in Beijing.
On top of that, Rakuji said he strongly urged the United States not to put the law into practice, and “China will always retaliate against the wrong actions of the United States, and the United States will bear any bad results.” He expressed his thoughts of not resigning retaliation and strongly urged the American side.
In addition, a spokeswoman from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a press conference on the 28th that "the United States is strongly encouraged not to put the law into practice in order not to affect US-China relations and the important cooperation between the two countries." On top of that, China expressed its idea of not leaving retaliation.
However, no matter what specific retaliation measures were taken, I was only stating that I would like you to continue to watch with interest.
It is inevitable that the conflict between the United States and China will be deepened by the enactment of this law, and it is expected that trade negotiations between the two countries will be affected in the future.
What is Hong Kong Human Rights Law
The “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Law” is a revision of the “Hong Kong Policy Law” enacted in 1992, prior to the return of Hong Kong, with new provisions.
The conventional Hong Kong policy law allows Hong Kong to give preferential treatments different from those in mainland China, such as tariffs and visas, but if the US President finds Hong Kong's self-government is insufficient, these measures can be stopped. It was prescribed.
In addition to this, the law now requires the US government to verify that the high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong based on one country and two systems has not been damaged by the Chinese government and to report to the parliament every year.
As a result, if the US government determines that one country or two systems have become corporatized, it may lead to suspension of preferential treatment for Hong Kong.
The law also requires the US government to report on the human rights situation in Hong Kong every year, and there is a new provision that allows sanctions if human rights suppression is recognized.
Specifically, in the event of repression, such as transferring Hong Kong citizens to mainland China and arbitrarily restraining them, sanctions such as visa cancellation and asset freezing will be given to Chinese officials involved. I am going to give you.
In addition to this "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act", President Trump has also signed a law that prohibits US companies from exporting tear gas and other equipment to Hong Kong.
Equipment forbidden to export includes tear gas and tear spray, rubber bullets, water guns, handcuffs, stun guns, etc., used to control protests. It is forbidden.
Background and background of the establishment of the law
In June, a large-scale demonstration of the ordinance amendment occurred in Hong Kong, and US republican and democratic parliamentarians in China helped respect human rights and establish democracy in Hong Kong. The bill was submitted to both Houses.
As the United States and China were in a fierce conflict in security and trade negotiations, the American Parliament had a strict view of China's human rights situation.
In September, democratic members who continued to protest in Hong Kong attended a parliamentary hearing, saying, “When the historians look back, the American Parliament is credited with protecting Hong Kong and human rights and democracy. "I want you to be," he appealed to pass the bill.
And on November 19, the Senate passed the bill unanimously, and the House of Representatives passed 417 in favor and 1 against the next day, and sent to the White House for President Trump's signature necessary for the passage of the law. It was.
In addition, the Senate and Houses unanimously passed a bill banning the export of tear gas and rubber bullets used for the demonstrators to the Hong Kong police in the wake of a fierce clash between the demonstrators and the police in Hong Kong. Did.
In response, the Chinese government reacted strongly and appealed to the United States not to enact the law by showing its readiness to take retaliation.
Amid the United States and China's trade negotiations marks the final stage towards the agreement of the agreement of the first stage, Trump President 22 days, "but must support the Hong Kong, it is a friend Xi Jinping Jintao also supports" I did not declare the signature, but several media in the United States were telling the prospect of taking the signature.
The impact on US-China trade negotiations
The signing of this bill by President Trump has given the view that the future of trade negotiations with China will also be affected.
Since the US and China showed a compromise toward the first-stage agreement at a ministerial-level discussion last month, expectations that the trade friction between the US and China, which has shaken the global economy, may ease the stock market. It spread to.
However, in the talks, while there are still some gaps over the elimination of some of the tariffs that have been added to each other's imports, this time, President Trump has repelled China's argument over the Hong Kong issue, and this has affected the whereabouts of trade negotiations There is a view that it may come out.
The future focus will be on the launch of a new tariff on imported goods from China, scheduled for 15th of next month, which the US government plans to postpone if it reaches the first stage agreement.
If this measure is activated, the target items will extend to $ 160 billion, including smartphones and personal computers produced in China, and high tariffs will be added to almost all imported goods from China.
If this happens, not only China, but also the US economy, where these products are widely used, may be hit, and both will be noted as the deadline for the launch is approaching about two weeks.
“Thank you Trump” welcome in Hong Kong
As protests against the government continue in Hong Kong, many protesters are welcoming the Hong Kong Human Rights Act.
In Hong Kong, the constituency election held on the 24th of this month won a democracy with a critical position in the government. Does not indicate an idea to respond to.
In response to the government's response, protests continued sporadically after the elections in various parts of the country. "Let's fight."
Some participants had placards saying “Thank you President Trump” about the passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights Act.
A man in his 30s said, “I've been protesting for several months, and I ’m very happy to hear this response from all over the world, especially from the United States.”
A woman in her 30s said, “I am very happy, but I think it will be a long battle. I will continue to protest.” The government accepts requests from citizens participating in protests. Many people have heard that they will continue their activities.
“Umbrella Movement” Leader “Same Movement Expands to Each Country”
In response to the enactment of the Hong Kong Human Rights Act, Mr. Hwang, who led the protest “Ambrella Movement” seeking democratic elections in Hong Kong five years ago, held a press conference on the 28th. I would like it to spread to other countries such as Britain, Italy, and Germany. ”He expressed the idea that US support for Hong Kong would become a tense system for China, which is backed by the Hong Kong government.