Protests have been ongoing in Hong Kong since April, with often violent clashes between demonstrators and the police. Now President Donald Trump has signed The Human Rights and Democracy Act, which supports the pro-democracy protesters.
What is going on in Hong Kong?
An extradition bill was introduced in Hong Kong in April, triggering the first round of protests.
The controversial bill stoked anti-government sentiment as it would have allowed for suspected criminals to be extradited to mainland China under some circumstances.
Demonstrators said this bill risked opening Hongkongers up to violence and unfair trials, as well as giving China more influence over Hong Kong.
This led to weeks of protests and hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in opposition to the extradition bill.
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The bill was suspended but protests continued until, in September, the extradition bill was formally withdrawn by the government.
Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam said: “Our citizens, police and reporters have been injured during violent incidents.
“There have been chaotic scenes at the airport and [mass transit railway] stations; roads and tunnels have been suddenly blocked.
“For many people, Hong Kong has become an unfamiliar place.”
However, protesters said this was too little too late and demonstrations continued.
Later in November, there was a stalemate between police and students barricaded on Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University’s campus, something which was seen as an iconic moment in the demonstrations.
The territory then held local council elections which were seen as a barometer of public opinion.
The vote saw an overwhelming victory for the pro-democracy movement, with 17 of the 18 councils now controlled by pro-democracy councillors.
What has Donald Trump signed?
Donald Trump has signed The Human Rights and Democracy Act, which was unanimously agreed by the US Senate, and all but one lawmaker in the House of Representatives last week.
The bill requires the State Department to certify annually Hong Kong keeps enough autonomy to ensure favourable US trading terms.
The legislation also threatens sanctions for human rights violations, and a second bill bans the export of police control methods like pepper spray, tear gas, rubber bullets and stun guns to the Hong Kong olice.
Mr Trump said in a statement: “I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi (Jinping), 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.”
China has hit back at the legislation, calling it gross interference in its affairs and a violation of international law.
On Thursday China said the United States was the “biggest black hand” behind the unrest in Hong Kong.
What does the bill mean?
Officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong could also be subject to sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes.
While many see the laws as symbolic, they have the potential to upend relations between the United States and Hong Kong.
China’s promise of “high degree of autonomy” for Hong Kong has formed the basis of the territory’s special status under US law.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong has said anything which would change the status of Hong Kong “would have a chilling effect not only on US trade and investment in Hong Kong but would send negative signals internationally about Hong Kong’s trusted position in the global economy.”