US move won't solve Hong Kong crisis: govt allies

The pro-Beijing lawmakers warn Washington's move will only hurt the relationship between the two sides. Photo: RTHK

The pro-government camp have reacted with anger and concern over the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act being signed into law by US President Donald Trump, saying it will do nothing to solve the ongoing political crisis in the city.



The convenor of the pro-Beijing camp, Martin Liao, said on Thursday that the new law does nothing to alleviate tensions in Hong Kong and will only deepen the misunderstanding between the US and the SAR.



Liao said Hong Kong has had close ties with the US in various areas, and believes Washington's latest move will hurt the relationship between the two sides.



FTU lawmaker Alice Mak, meanwhile, accused American politicians of "selectively accepting" the views of the pro-democracy camp, and said it is clear that they are "colluding" with the opposition to undermine Hong Kong's interests.



The Business and Professionals Alliance (BPA) said the act only protects "violent radicals" and has demonised the SAR government's efforts to crack down on violence.



BPA lawmaker Jeffrey Lam said the move has harmed ties and economic benefits on both sides. He added that many in the business sector have told him that they will reduce investment in the US as the act has dented their confidence.



Former chief secretary Henry Tang, who's a CPPCC member, said he found Washington's move "detestable", adding that the Americans should stop interfering in other countries' affairs and mind its own business.



Tang said the US has a lot of internal problems that remain unresolved, such as fatal shooting sprees, and it should focus on those issues instead.



He added that he doesn't think America's latest move will change Beijing or the SAR government's strategy in handling the ongoing protests.