China summons US envoy to protest against Hong Kong democracy bill

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Beijing, ANI. China’s Foreign Ministry called on US Ambassador to Beijing Terry Branstad Monday to call a protest in Hong Kong against the passage of the Human Rights and Democracy Act 2019, stating that it was an attempt to interfere in a Chinese internal matter.

Hong Kong’s Human Rights and Democracy Act, the South China Morning Post, quoted a statement from the Foreign Ministry that Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zheng Xiaagung submitted a ‘Congress with Branstad’ representation.

This is the second time China has summoned a US official on the Hong Kong issue in less than a week. The meeting came a day after a resounding victory by the Pan-Democrats of Hong Kong in the district council elections in what was seen as a strong rebellion of Hong Kong’s embassy leader Carrie Lam. China has accused Western countries of instigating pro-democracy unrest in the city.

On 21 November, the US House of Representatives voted 417 for the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The House also passed a second bill to the Hong Kong Police to prevent the export of certain goods with the same difference.

The bill will go to the White House for the signature or veto of US President Donald Trump. If this bill becomes law, it will pave the way for economic sanctions against Hong Kong.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said the Hong Kong cases are purely Chinese internal affairs that allow for no foreign intervention. China is determined in the protection of national sovereignty, security and development interests.