Trump signed the legislation under heavy pressure from Congress, where it attracted rare bipartisan support.

US President Donald Trump signs the Hong Kong law but extols Chinese President Xi Jinping as a friend. AFP

BEIJING (Xinhua) — The People’s Republic of China’s government and its people firmly oppose United States President Donald Trump’s signing into law of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It added the US move is a serious interference in Hong Kong’s and China’s internal affairs and violates international law and basic norms governing international relations.

“It is a gross hegemonic move,” the statement said.

China summoned the US ambassador and threatened retaliation after Trump signed the legislation supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.

Trump signed the legislation under heavy pressure from Congress, where it attracted rare bipartisan support, and in a statement spoke of his “respect” for Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling for both sides to “amicably settle their differences.”

But Beijing lashed out furiously, summoning the US ambassador, threatening unspecified “firm countermeasures” and warning Washington not to implement the legislation.

“The nature of this is extremely abominable, and harbors absolutely sinister intentions,” the foreign ministry statement read.

“China strongly urges the US side to correct mistakes and change course,” the ministry added later.

In Hong Kong, the government expressed “extreme regret” after Trump signed the legislation requiring an annual review of freedoms in Hong Kong and banning the sale of crowd control equipment like tear gas.

“The two acts are obviously interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs,” the city government said in a statement, warning the move would “send the wrong message to the protesters.”

Beijing’s liaison office in the city condemned Washington’s “disgusting conduct,” saying it would bring “trouble and chaos” to Hong Kong.

The Chinese government said it is determined in opposing external forces interfering in Hong Kong affairs, implementing the “one country, two systems” principle and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

“Since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the practice of the principle has been proven to be a universally recognized success. Hong Kong residents enjoy unprecedented democratic rights in accordance with law,” the statement added.

The United States, in disregard of facts and distorting right and wrong, openly supported violent criminals who rampantly smashed facilities, assaulted innocent civilians, trampled on the rule of law and jeopardized social order, it added.

It noted that the egregious and malicious nature of its intentions is fully revealed. Its very aim is to undermine Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity, the statement indicated.

“We remind the US that Hong Kong is part of China, and Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs and no foreign government or force shall interfere,” read the statement.

There was speculation Trump could veto the bill to protect his chances of securing a China trade deal as his reelection campaign ramps up.

But he would have faced the possibility of a politically humiliating override — when two-thirds of Congress vote to overturn a presidential veto — with pressure only mounting after Sunday’s decisive local election victory for pro-democracy candidates.

His decision was welcomed even by his fiercest domestic opponents.

“This bicameral, bipartisan law reaffirms our nation’s commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the face of Beijing’s crackdown,” Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. “I am pleased that the president signed this legislation and look forward to its prompt enforcement.”