Hong Kong Crisis: China Vows to 'Fight Back' After US Congress Supports Protests

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act passed the House of Representatives by 417 to 1, one day after the Senate unanimously passed the measure, provoking an outcry from Beijing.

Trump is expected to sign it, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Beijing expressed anger earlier Wednesday after the Senate's unanimous vote, warning of "strong countermeasures" if the bill becomes law, and summoning acting US charge d'affaires William Klein to lodge a protest.

American lawmakers previously condemned alleged human rights violations against the protesters in the semi-autonomous region and adopted a bill banning the export of certain munitions to Hong Kong.

"We strongly condemn and firmly oppose the passage of relevant Hong Kong related bills", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, noting that Beijing was ready to take measures to "resolutely fight back".

The House voted for two bills, supporting the protesters by a 417-1 margin on Wednesday after they were approved unanimously by the Senate a day prior.

According to Sputnik: The news of the decision comes amid another escalation of tensions in the city, as mass rallies gathered around Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with anti-riot police threatening to use "live rounds" in retaliation to violent protesters holed up in the besieged facility.