Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


China Threatens US Counter Measures if Punished for Hong Kong Law

Agence France-Presse

   HONG KONG - China on Monday threatened counter measures against the
   United States if it is punished for plans to impose on Hong Kong a
   sedition law, which the business hub's security chief hailed as a new
   tool to defeat "terrorism."

   Beijing plans to pass the new security law for Hong Kong that bans
   treason, subversion and sedition after months of massive, often-violent
   pro-democracy protests last year.

   But many Hong Kongers, business groups and Western nations fear the
   proposal could be a death blow to the city's treasured freedoms, and
   thousands took to the streets on Sunday despite a ban on mass
   gatherings introduced to combat coronavirus.

   As police dispersed the crowds with tear gas and water cannon,
   Washington's national security adviser Robert O'Brien warned the new
   law could cost the city its preferential U.S. trading status.

.