Article snippet: MORE on Wednesday signed legislation offering support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, one week after it passed the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. The White House made the announcement that Trump had signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act despite protests from officials in Beijing, who complain that the legislation meddles in their domestic matters. "I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong," Trump said in a statement. "They are being enacted in the hope that Leaders and Representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all." The legislation imposes sanctions on individuals who commit human rights violations in Hong Kong and blocks them from entering the United States. It would also require the State Department to provide an annual report to lawmakers on whether Hong Kong remains "sufficiently autonomous" from China. Beijing had called the bill "unnecessary and unwarranted," and officials there threatened retaliatory measures if it became law. Wednesday's announcement capped days of uncertainty over whether Trump would sign the legislation into law. While administration officials and experts said it was unlikely he would veto the measure given that move would be overturned by Congress, the president had in recent days refused to commit to signing it. Trump has described the Hong Kong protests as ... Link to the full article to read more