China fumes over U.S. rebuke

Officials in Beijing are furious over a U.S. bill compelling the government to support Hong Kong protesters. Passed by Congress this week, it awaits President Trump’s signature.

The measure would require two things: sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in the territory, and an annual review of Hong Kong’s special trade status with the U.S.

Mr. Trump promised in October to stay silent on the unrest in Hong Kong, but the bill offers leverage in securing a trade deal with China. This week, he said China wasn’t “stepping up” in trade talks, prompting China to affirm its focus on achieving progress toward a “Phase One” agreement.

Response: In an editorial, China’s state-owned People’s Daily described the bill as a “piece of waste paper” and a “serious provocation against the entire Chinese people .” Officials warned the country would take “strong counter-measures.”