Trump 'displeased' with China's new security law for Hong Kong: White House

US President Donald Trump is "displeased" with China's new national security law for Hong Kong, White House has said, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing in wake of coronavirus pandemic. China on Friday introduced draft of a controversial national security law in Hong Kong in its parliament to tighten Beijing's control over former British colony, in what could be biggest blow to territory's automy and personal freedoms since 1997 when it came under Chinese rule.

Hong Kong, an ecomic powerhouse, is a Special ministrative Region (SAR) of China. It has observed a "one country, two systems" policy since Britain returned sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997, which has allowed it certain freedoms rest of China does t have. US over last few days has expressed concerns over new Chinese law on Hong Kong and has indicated of taking steps against it.

"He (Trump) is displeased with China's efforts and that it's hard to see how Hong Kong can remain a financial hub if China takes over," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday.

As many as 16 Congressmen have introduced a resolution in Congress to condemn Chinese Communist Party's proposed national security law in Hong Kong. proposed law bans secession, subversion, and foreign interference, and would rically upend "one party, two systems" structure. In dition to deuncing proposal, resolution calls for world to stand with Hong Kong and states unequivocally proposal puts Beijing in direct violation of 1984 Si-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong Basic Law.

" Chinese Communist Party's so-called 'national security' law is t only a violation of ir previous agreements, it's also a direct attack on Hong Kong's freedoms," said Congressman Markwayne Mullin.

"We cant let CCP get away with this power grab. I am proud to cosponsor this resolution with my colleagues and stand with Hong Kong in ir fight against tyranny," he ded.

"Hong Kong has flourished as a bastion of liberty," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier in a statement.

" United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal, abide by its international obligations, and respect Hong Kong's high degree of automy, democratic institutions, and civil liberties, which are key to preserving its special status under US law," he said.

Congressman Chris Smith, author of House-passed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, condemned Beijing's efforts to destroy Hong Kong's freedoms of press, speech and assembly.

"We are witnessing death knell of 'high degree of automy' that China's communist rulers h promised and are guaranteed under both Basic Law and Si-British Joint Declaration," he said.

"Should Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam continue to follow dictates of Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping and fail to protect rights of people of Hong Kong, she will have presided over death of 'One Country, Two Systems,' and United States will be forced, by statute, to reassess status of Hong Kong Special ministrative Region and our relationship with it," Smith said.

news of China's plans was met with immediate criticism by opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong, human rights groups and US.

"It is end of 'one country, two systems'," said Dennis Kwok, a pro-democracy lawmaker, referring to principle by which Hong Kong has retained limited democracy and civil liberties since coming under Chinese control.

"(y are) completely destroying Hong Kong," Dennis said.

Pro-democracy activists h said y feared " end of Hong Kong" if China brought new security law. bill which is set to be approved by National People's Congress, regarded as rubber-stamp parliament for its routine approval of proposals by ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), comes in backdrop of relentless agitation by local Hong Kong people demanding political and ministrative automy agreed by China when it took possession of former British colony in 1997.

While seven-month-long agitation last year in which millions took part subsided during coronavirus crisis from January to April, protestors returned to streets this month, with pro-automy and pro-freedom legislators grappling with security officials in local legislature protesting against curbs.

China has faced constant criticism from US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over origin of coronavirus and its failure to provide timely information. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday US was pushing bilateral ties to brink of a "new Cold War" by spreing "lies" about coronavirus and said it was open to international efforts to identify source of virus that has killed over 300,000 people globally. PTI LKJ MRJ MRJ