Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong gathered to celebrate the legislation signed by President Trump in support of their autonomy from China.
On Wednesday, Trump signed legislation that required the State Department to do an annual review of the relationship between Hong Kong and China to ensure that China does not overreach and hamper with Hong Kong’s autonomy. The legislation received support from every senator and all but one member of the House.
While signing the bill, Trump didn’t condemn China and claimed the legislation aimed to respect both President Xi Jinping and the people of Hong Kong, saying, “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.”
Trump’s attempt to please both sides did not fly with Chinese officials. China promised “firm countermeasures” in response to the legislation, which will likely rock any trade deal in the near future.
The legislation may have upset China, but the people of Hong Kong were thrilled. Thousands took to the streets with American flags in a “Thanksgiving rally” out of appreciation for the legislation.
#Thanksgiving night in Hong Kong – Thank US for passing the Human Right and Democracy Act. pic.twitter.com/t569rfwSiC
— ShanShan Kao (@shanmushy) November 28, 2019
As #Thanksgiving Day begins in #USA, a world away in #HongKong, a sea of US flags underscores how much #Americans take for granted that #Beijing would deny to #HongKongpeople: #freedom, #democracy, #ruleoflaw. #FoodForThought. #HKHRDA pic.twitter.com/ggqQYxC1wf via @HongKongFP
— ??Curtis S. Chin (@CurtisSChin) November 28, 2019
Sunny Cheung, a 23-year-old student who lobbied for the legislation, told Reuters, “The rationale for us having this rally is to show our gratitude and thank the U.S Congress and also President Trump for passing the bill. We are really grateful about that and we really appreciate the effort made by Americans who support Hong Kong, who stand with Hong Kong, who do not choose to side with Beijing.”
Hong Kong has been in a state of protest for six months. The protests have not always been peaceful, and as many as 5,800 have been arrested.
Protesters at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University have been particularly contentious with more than 1,100 arrested in the past few weeks after authorities found 3,000 Molotov cocktails and hundreds of bottles of corrosive liquids.
