After six months of protests, Hong Kong recently delivered a strong rebuke to China over its attempts to broaden control over the semi-autonomous territory. Pro-democracy candidates overwhelmingly won local council elections, sweeping 347 of 452 seats.
Democracy in action, no doubt about it — the kind that likely has Chinese President Xi Jinping seething, the kind that President Donald Trump should support.
On Wednesday, Trump took strong, positive action. He expressed solidarity with Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement by signing congressional legislation intended to show Hong Kong — and Beijing — where America’s sympathies lie.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act passed unanimously in the Senate and was approved 417 to 1 in the House.
The legislation gives Washington the ability to impose sanctions on China and Hong Kong officials responsible for the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, and requires the State Department to annually review the special status the U.S. gives Hong Kong in trade issues.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorial-china-donald-trump-hong-kong-legislation-20191127-u4gvpqh3zbhddorblpphpq4eai-story.html
