Washington: The US has warned China that it will not stand idle while it “swallows” Hong Kong into its “authoritarian maw,” a day after Beijing imposed a “draconian” national security law in the former British territory. In a strongly-worded statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was a “sad day” for the people in Hong Kong and warned China of new countermeasures, including ending defence and dual-use technology exports to the territory.
Reacting to Beijing’s move, Pompeo said, “The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) decision to impose draconian national security legislation on Hong Kong destroys the territory’s autonomy and one of China’s greatest achievements.” (PTI)
