China: Trump must veto Hong Kong legislation

China on Thursday condemned legislation passed by Congress supporting human rights in Hong Kong and demanded that President Trump veto it, The Associated Press reports.

“We urge the U.S. to grasp the situation, stop its wrongdoing before it’s too late, prevent this act from becoming law [and] immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi added: “This bill sends the wrong signal to those violent criminals and its substance seeks to throw Hong Kong into chaos or even to destroy Hong Kong outright.”

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act was sent to the White House after the House passed it Wednesday. The Senate unanimously passed the measure on Tuesday.

If signed into law, it would require the U.S. State Department to annually certify that Hong Kong has retained enough autonomy to qualify for the special U.S. trading consideration that it receives. 

Additionally, the legislation stipulates sanctions against Hong Kong officials who violate human rights laws. Moreover, exports such as tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and stun guns are also banned by the legislation.

Deadly unrest, sparked by pro-democracy protests, has percolated through the Chinese-controlled city for more than five months.