Congress has approved two bills aimed at supporting human rights in Hong Kong following months of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
The House overwhelmingly approved the bills Wednesday, a day after the Senate passed them on voice votes. The bills now go to the White House for the president’s signature.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act mandates sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who carry out human rights abuses and requires an annual review of the favorable trade status that Washington grants Hong Kong.
President of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Jin-Guang Teng, second from right, looks as an injured protester is helped to leave by medics at the University in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. A small group of protesters refused to leave Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the remnants of hundreds who took over the campus for several days. They won't leave because they would face arrest. Police have set up a cordon around the area to prevent anyone from escaping. (AP PhotoNg Han Guan)
Another bill prohibits export to Hong Kong police of certain nonlethal "munitions," including tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, water cannons, stun guns and tasers.
China has threatened to take unspecified, “strong countermeasures” if the bills are signed into law.