US Senate Unanimously Passes Hong Kong Rights and Democracy Bill

I am sure many of you have seen the numerous vids displaying tragic examples of human right violations and destruction and I wondered if the US would intervene at some point.

The United States Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would require an annual review of the special treatment Hong Kong receives under US law following almost six months of unrest in the Asian financial hub. The vote will be seen as boost for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters, and a challenge to the Chinese government at a time of strained US-China relations, marked by a protracted trade war and geopolitical jostling. The US government treats semi-autonomous Hong Kong, which has its own legal and political systems, differently from the Chinese mainland when it comes to trade and export controls. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act -- if it becomes law -- will demand greater scrutiny of the city's special status.

Under the bill, the President can also impose sanctions on those who violate the 1997 Sino-British Joint Declaration -- the agreement under which Britain handed Hong Kong back to China, and which sets the terms of the city's autonomy. For months, protesters have accused China of infringing on the agreement by encroaching on Hong Kong's protected freedoms. House approves bills supporting pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong House approves bills supporting pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong The democracy bill has received broad bipartisan support and will now go to the House of Representatives, which passed a slightly different version of the bill last month. Then, it will head to the White House for President Donald Trump to review

Well this should get interesting... Would we ever intervene..physically? How will sanctions affect our relationship with China? This could be the proverbial "straw"....

There is one notable voice missing -- Trump has largely refrained from entering into the fray as he works through stalled trade talks with China. In June, as the protests kicked off, Trump promised Chinese President Xi Jinping in a phone call that the US would remain quiet on the protests while trade talks continued, according to sources familiar with the call. Trump's pledge is a dramatic departure from decades of US support for human rights in China -- and is all the more striking as Congress has overwhelmingly sided with the protesters. The bill could also complicate the trade talks if it places pressure on the White House to sanction China for its role and actions in the protests.

Well I can understand the business aspect of this and the reservation of Pres Trump. What a tight spot to be in...Perhaps he is waiting for particular trade agreement before publicly denouncing China's actions against Hong Kong. Surely this move by the Senate will tangle up any current trade negotiations.

"China will have to take strong countermeasures to defend our national sovereignty, security and development interests if the US insists on making the wrong decisions," the statement said, urging the US to "stop interfering."

What do you think may come of this? IMO China is in the wrong and acting selfishly. It would be in their best interest to utilize this moment for good and fairness, but they have much to lose. Any good justification for China neglecting the Sino-British Joint Declaration, besides greed and perhaps jealousy?
-Source

I was curious which does the US benefit from more, China or Hong Kong and I assumed China, but maybe not?

The economy of mainland China is more dependent on manufacturing, although, in recent years, the service sector has started to pick up. However, the share of services in the GDP is much less than that of developed countries like the United States and Japan and also less than that of developing countries like Brazil and India. Agriculture constitutes around 10 percent of China’s GDP, while it is negligible in Hong Kong's. Hong Kong's GDP per capita is vastly higher than that of China's, although the latter's is rapidly climbing. China's GDP growth rate is over 6 percent, while Hong Kong's was 3 percent in 2018.

Key Takeaways
- Hong Kong exists as a Special Administrative Region controlled by The People's Republic of China and enjoys its own limited autonomy as defined by the Basic Law.
-The principle of “one country, two systems” allows for the coexistence of socialism and capitalism under “one country,” which is mainland China. -The Hong Kong economy is characterized by low tax rates, free trade, and less government interference.
-The mainland Chinese stock markets are more conservative and restrictive.

-Additional Perspective

Dont you guys have bigger problems to settle back home ?

a reply to: MarioOnTheFly

I suppose a large country with global obligations can multi-task?

This entire deal was a British thing
Let them handle it.

originally posted by: MarioOnTheFly
Dont you guys have bigger problems to settle back home ?

At least our Senate is still getting things done. The House is just anti-Trump BS 24/7.

It would be in their best interest to utilize this moment for good and fairness

The Chinese communist party, (which is a sham by the way), is not known now or ever in the past to utilize any moment for good and fairness. The only way to make them behave fairly and for good is to force it upon them economically, or by other more forceful threats. With China however, you cut off one head and 3 more take it's place these days.

The communist party in China is a sham by the way because the chair holders send their kids to American schools and own homes over here in the land of the "free". They pretend and agree with party decisions just to keep themselves on the gravy train of self enrichment. A lot like our own 2 party sham system.

originally posted by: MarioOnTheFly
Dont you guys have bigger problems to settle back home ?

Yup.

But depending on how this plays out, it could help us at home too.

Much of where we're at is because of our relationship with China. We started buying cheap goods, stuff that didn't really threaten domestic manufacturing, but they've improved over the years, and US corporations have moved operations over there.

I'd be surprised if our government representatives could be successful in addressing that against big corporations and lobbyists... But now that China has multiple human rights problems on their hands, it may be the fodder needed to start putting restrictions on relations.

Typically I'm not one for government overreach, but the current relationship is increasing our debt to them, decreasing tax revenue at home, and worst of all... If their belligerence continues and they decide to project beyond their borders, we would only have ourselves to blame for making that financially possible through our dependence on them.

a reply to: NoCorruptionAllowed

Well said. At the end of the day it's all about power and wealth for these control freaks.

a reply to: RexKramerPRT

I'm sure it can. One wonders why do you keep poking your nose where it dont belong

Dont you guys want to take a break a bit, and maybe sort things out inhouse ?

Naaaah ?

a reply to: jjkenobi

Dont know about the senate...but you're right on the other one.

a reply to: MarioOnTheFly

You guys? I think you making a false assumption

originally posted by: Gothmog
This entire deal was a British thing
Let them handle it.

Indeed, do you know the original 1897 treaty? Was it to return the area after 100 years with no strings attached?

originally posted by: jjkenobi

originally posted by: MarioOnTheFly
Dont you guys have bigger problems to settle back home ?

At least our Senate is still getting things done. The House is just anti-Trump BS 24/7.

Did Diane Feinstein vote for it?

Her Chinese handlers will not be pleased.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Much of where we're at is because of our relationship with China.

I think everybody is in the same mess with China. Cheap is cheap is cheap

Typically I'm not one for government overreach

Problem is the National interest. You're all over the place trying to maintain world no1. As for this busyness with Hong Kong...If I were you...I would just back off and watch. Internet is a bit**.

originally posted by: RexKramerPRT
a reply to: MarioOnTheFly

You guys? I think you making a false assumption

obviously..sorry 'bout that

a reply to: MarioOnTheFly

I'm all for us taking a step back in global projection.

But China could be dealt with purely in a trading fashion. I'd advocate nothing further.

a reply to: jjkenobi

It's something I guess, but does it actually do anything? Sounds like it's really just telling China that we don't like what they're doing.

Which everyone already knows.

Our company built a factory in China for their internal market. We are gradually pulling out production for non Chinese market out. Within 3-4 years we will be about 90% US sourced for US products right now were about 82%.

Getting tired of them selling our ideas

originally posted by: MarioOnTheFly
Dont you guys have bigger problems to settle back home ?

The Senate is kind of stalled, since the House is consumed by non-impeachment insanity. So, good on them for doing something proactive.

a reply to: tanstaafl

How many bills have been passed to the Senate to vote on?