Trump signs Hong Kong rights act as China vows to retaliate

Pro-democracy activists cheer the decision as 'fundamental change' and 'new stage'

U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act on Nov. 27, angering Beijing. (Source photos by Reuters) © Reuters

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asian Review chief desk editor, and NIKKI SUN, Nikkei staff writer

November 28, 2019 12:44 JST

Updated on November 28, 2019 17:03 JST

NEW YORK/HONG KONG -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which passed Congress almost unanimously, while Beijing countered by vowing to take retaliatory measures.

"Today, I have signed into law S. 1838, the 'Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019,'" the president said in a White House statement.