EGX closed mostly higher on July 9    Gold hits over 1-week low on stronger dollar    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Sisi commissions panel to investigate Ramsis Telephone Exchange fire – PM    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    Egypt, Pakistan boost healthcare ties – Cabinet    Escalation in Gaza as ceasefire talks remain fragile amid mounting humanitarian crisis    Egypt's electricity, public enterprises ministers discuss expanding renewables in energy-intensive industries    UK, Egypt strengthen cooperation on green transition, eco-tourism, and environmental investments    Egyptian authorities race to contain fallout from fatal telecom fire    CPME shareholders approve EGP 2.8bn acquisition of Qardy, Catalyst Partners Holding    Egypt, UNDP discuss expanded cooperation on medical waste management, human development    Egypt, Somalia leaders discuss strategic partnership, counterterrorism in New Alamein    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt's PM, Uruguay's president discuss Gaza, trade at BRICS summit    Egypt, Norway hold informal talks ahead of global plastic treaty negotiations    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt teams up with private sector to boost university rankings    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger    Egypt's FM, China's Wang discuss Iran-Israel escalation    Egypt's EHA, Schneider Electric sign MoU on sustainable infrastructure    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



China warns of using 'firm counter measures' in response to US move of backing Hong Kong protests
Published in Ahram Online on 28 - 11 - 2019

China warned the United States on Thursday that it would take "firm counter measures" in response to US legislation backing anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, and said attempts to interfere in the Chinese-ruled city were doomed to fail.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng summoned US Ambassador Terry Branstad and demanded that Washington immediately stop interfering in China's domestic affairs.
Protesters in Hong Kong responded by staging a "Thanksgiving" rally, with thousands, some draped in US flags, gathering in the heart of the city.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law congressional legislation which supported the protesters, despite angry objections from Beijing, with which he is seeking a deal to end a damaging trade war.
The US laws, which passed both chambers of Congress almost unanimously, mandate sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who carry out human rights abuses in Hong Kong, require an annual review of Hong Kong's favorable trade status and prohibit the export to Hong Kong police of certain nonlethal munitions.
Hong Kong, a former British colony that was granted semi-autonomy when China took control in 1997, has been rocked by six months of sometimes violent pro-democracy demonstrations.
"I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong,'' Trump said in a statement. "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.''
The Chinese foreign ministry said the United States would shoulder the consequences of China's countermeasures if it continued to "act arbitrarily" in regards to Hong Kong.
Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang declined to comment on any countermeasures planned by Beijing.
"You better stay tuned, and follow up on this," he said. "What will come will come."
Trump's approval of the bills was not unexpected. Neither was the reaction from Beijing, given China's adamant rejections of any commentary on what it considers an internal issue.
Nevertheless, the clash comes at a sensitive time and could upset already thorny trade negotiations between the two nations.
Gao Feng, a spokesman for China's commerce ministry, did not comment directly on whether the law would affect trade talks, saying there were no new details of their progress to disclose.
Yucheng told US Ambassador Terry Branstad that the move constituted "serious interference in China's internal affairs and a serious violation of international law,'' a foreign ministry statement said.
Yucheng called it a "nakedly hegemonic act.'' He urged the US not to implement the bills to prevent greater damage to US-China relations, the ministry said.
In a statement about the meeting, the US Embassy in Beijing said, "the Chinese Communist Party must honor its promises to the Hong Kong people.''
The US "believes that Hong Kong's autonomy, its adherence to the rule of law, and its commitment to protecting civil liberties are key to preserving its special status under US law,'' it said.
While China has repeatedly threatened unspecified "countermeasures,'' it's unclear exactly how it will respond. Speaking on Fox News, Trump called the protests a "complicating factor'' in trade negotiations with Beijing.
Recently both sides expressed confidence they were making headway on a preliminary agreement to avert a further escalation in a tariff war that has hammered manufacturers in both nations.


Clic here to read the story from its source.