Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador on Thursday to protest against the U.S. president signing Hong Kong-related bills, warning of "strong countermeasures" and a deterioration of bilateral relations.

Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng told Terry Branstad that the U.S. should stop meddling in China's internal affairs, warning it would seriously damage bilateral ties.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 into law.

"The move is a severe interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs. It is also in serious violation of the international law and basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese government and the people firmly oppose such stark hegemonic acts," Le said.

"We urge the United States not to continue going down the wrong path, or China will take countermeasures and the U.S. must bear all the consequences," he said.

The Chinese government is determined in opposing external forces interfering in Hong Kong affairs, implementing the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, he added.

It's the second protest from the Chinese side in a week.

On Tuesday, Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang summoned the U.S. envoy after the Senate passed the bill. Zheng asked Washington "to correct its errors and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and interfering in China's internal matters."

(Cover: China's Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng speaks at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China, October 22, 2019. /VCG Photo)