Protesters in Hong Kong are celebrating after Donald Trump signed legislation that effectively backs their civil rights.

Crowds of several thousand pro-democracy activists waved the US national flag in Hong Kong's central district on Thursday, while others held up signs thanking the US president.

The jubilant scenes came as China's government promised to retaliate after Mr Trump signed the legislation.

Image: Protesters wave the US flag on the streets of Hong Kong

A statement from the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs warned it would respond with "firm counter measures", adding that the US must bear the consequences if it continues "going down the wrong path".

The ministry also said that America's actions "further expose the malicious and hegemonic nature of US intentions to the Chinese people," and that the country's actions are "bound to fail".


Beijing had initially reacted with fury by summoning US ambassador Terry Branstad to demand the United States immediately stops interfering in its internal affairs and causing further damage to bilateral relations.

The bill requires the US State Department to certify, at least annually, that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to justify favourable US trading terms as well as threatening sanctions for human rights violations.

A second bill banning the export of teargas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and stun guns to the Hong Kong police was also signed by President Trump.

Image: Crowds gather at Edinburgh Place in Hong Kong's central district

In a statement he said: "I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong.

"They are being enacted in the hope that Leaders and Representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all."

The Hong Kong government said it strongly opposes the US stance and regrets Mr Trump's backing for the legislation.

It said it would send the wrong signal to protesters and would not help ease the situation in the city.

Image: The US has banned the export of crowd control munitions to Hong Kong police

Leading pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong hailed the passing of the US legislation and said he hoped it would spur other western nations to follow suit.

He said: "For a US president (to) sign on the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, that's a remarkable achievement of all the Hong Kongers, with the courage and determination of Hong Kongers to fight for freedom and democracy".

Until he actually signed the bills, Mr Trump had been evasive about whether he would back them at a time of delicate trade negotiations with China.

But it appears his hand was forced by the overwhelming support for both pieces of legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives.

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Last week he claimed he had saved Hong Kong from being "obliterated in 14 minutes" by persuading Chinese leader Xi Jinping not to send in troops to crush the pro-democracy activists.

What started in March as a protest against a proposed extradition bill between the former British colony and China has grown into a battle for its identity, with demonstrators fighting to prevent what they regard as the erosion of the autonomy and democratic freedoms of Hong Kong.

Earlier this week pro-democracy candidates scored a huge victory in district council elections, which have left them in control of all but one of the local authorities that were up for grabs in Hong Kong.