China Sidesteps Questions Whether US Hong Kong Sanctions Would Derail Trade Talks

China strongly condemns the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage Tuesday of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, said a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Wednesday. The bill (S-1838), introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., would authorize the president to impose sanctions on China, including barring from U.S. entry individuals alleged to be responsible for violating human rights in Hong Kong. Similar legislation (HR-3289) cleared the House Oct. 15 by voice vote. “China will have to take strong countermeasures to defend our national sovereignty, security and development interests if the U.S. is bent on having its own way,” said the spokesperson. “No one should underestimate China's determination to defend its national sovereignty, security and development interests.” He sidestepped questions about whether China’s threatened retaliation would endanger the U.S.-China trade talks. “China and the U.S. remain in close communication” on trade, said the spokesperson. “We hope the U.S. will work with China to find a proper settlement on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.”