US President Donald Trump signed on Wednesday a bill supporting anti-government protesters in Hong Kong in spite of Beijing's objections. He also signed into law the PROTECT Hong Kong act which bars the sale of US-made munitions to the city's authorities.
"I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong. They are being enacted in the hope that Leaders and Representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all," the president said in a written statement.
The legislation will require a yearly review of the country's special administrative region's special trade status with the US and will sanction Chinese officials found to be undermining the protests that have plagued the city for months.
