Mike Pence urges China to respect Hong Kong laws amid protests
- US vice-president repeats Trump’s warning that it will be harder for United States to reach trade deal with Beijing if there is violence in city
“For the United States to make a deal with China, Beijing needs to honour its commitments, including the commitment China made in 1984 to respect the integrity of Hong Kong’s laws through the Sino-British Joint Declaration,” Pence said in prepared remarks.
“And our administration will continue to urge Beijing and the demonstrators to resolve their differences peaceably.”
Hong Kong is gearing up for additional protests this week after more than a million anti-government demonstrators braved heavy rain to rally peacefully on Sunday, marking a change to what have often been violent clashes.
Trump hinted on Sunday that the White House would like to see Beijing resolve the Hong Kong protests before any agreement on trade is reached.
“I would like to see Hong Kong worked out in a very humanitarian fashion,” Trump said. “I think it would be very good for the trade deal.”