China threatens to retaliate if US enforces Hong Kong law

China threatened Washington with retaliatory measures if the US goes ahead with a law that could see Hong Kong lose its special trading status.

The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would force an annual review to see whether Hong Kong had enough autonomy from the rest of China to retain its special trading status.

If the bill passes into law, Hong Kong could lose its special trading status, although the legislation still has to clear the Senate.

This would undoubtedly further damage US-China relations and even affect US interests said China Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

“Regarding the wrong decision of the US, the Chinese side will have to enact effective countermeasures, firmly safeguard Chinese sovereignty, security and development interests,” Shuang said.

“What Hong Kong faces is not the so-called human rights and democracy issue at all, but the issue of stopping violence, reinstating order and upholding the rule of law as soon as possible,” he added.

Hong Kong is currently a special administrative region of China, and exports from the mainland travelling through Hong Kong can potentially evade US export controls and sanctions.