Pompeo notifies US Congress that Trump admin no longer regards Hong Kong as autonomous

US Secretary of State of Mike Pompeo on Wednesday tified Congress that  Trump ministration longer regards Hong Kong as automous from mainland China.  tification set st for US to withdraw preferential tre and financial status that former British colony has enjoyed since it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.

In a statement, Pompeo said, “Hong Kong does t continue to warrant treatment under United States laws in same manner as US laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997."

Beijing’s decision is only latest in a series of actions that fundamentally undermine Hong Kong’s automy and freedom, and China’s own promises to Hong Kong people under Si-British Joint Declaration, an UN-filed international treaty. Pompeo furr ded that " reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of automy from China, given facts on ground."

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday h said that his ministration is working on a strong response to China's planned national security legislation for Hong Kong and his government will anunce it before end of week.

Re: Hong Kong's China national anm bill aims to legislate 'respect', triggers protests

National Anm Bill triggers protests 

Amid growing concerns over threat to Hong Kong’s higher degree of automy, city’s legislature on Tuesday held a second reing of  controversial National Anm Bill that would criminalise any disrespect towards China’s national anm. As protests triggered, ministration reportedly deployed riot police outside Hong Kong’s Legislative Council to disperse protesters who took to streets against latest bill.

National Anm Bill provides a jail term of up to three years and/or fines of up to $6,450 if a person is found guilty of disrespecting Chinese national anm. bill also directs individuals and organisations to respect and dignify national anm and play it on “appropriate occasions”. It furr orders schools to teach history and etiquette to students while singing anm. 

Re: Protesters mass in Hong Kong before anm law is debated

Protests in Hong Kong over national security laws

proposed new national security laws h triggered first big street unrest in Hong Kong since last year when violent protests triggered city's biggest crisis since return to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997.  national security law is presented by National People’s Congress (NPC) which aims at “establishing and improving” legal system of Hong Kong to “safeguard national security”.

Several countries have raised concerns over legislation including US, Britain, European Union, and so on. However, Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam has urged residents to wait for details of proposed legislation saying it would t affect city’s rights and freedoms.

(With ncy inputs)

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