US president signs law backing protest in Hong Kong

US president Donald Trump has signed into law a bill that supports pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

The human rights and democracy act mandates an annual review, to check if Hong Kong has enough autonomy to justify its special status with the US.

Mr Trump said he signed the law “out of respect for president Xi Jinping, China, and the people of Hong Kong”.

China’s foreign ministry threatened “counter measures” if the US continued “going down the wrong path”.

Mr Trump is currently seeking a deal with China, in order to end a trade war between the two countries.