Trump ends preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong

US president Donald Trump has signed an order to end preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong, after China enacted a new security law there.

Trump said Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China

He also signed bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on Chinese officials who crack down on rights in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has so far enjoyed unique freedoms not seen in mainland China.

But many people in the territory fear the new security law imposed by Beijing will bring an end to Hong Kong’s special status, agreed under a 1984 pact between china and Hong Kong’s former colonial power, the UK.