China Bans US Navy Visits to Hong Kong in Retaliation for Protest Support

Tensions once again have escalated between the U.S. and China, as Beijing bans US Navy ships and aircraft from visiting Hong Kong.

What Happened and Why?

Protests in Hong Kong have been somewhat of an issue for China, and could now be another matter of contention between the U.S. and China, potentially delaying and complicating negotiations for a deal to end the trade war between the two.

A bill introduced in June regarding the protests was overwhelmingly approved in October, and was signed by President Trump, which did not amuse Beijing.

China’s foreign ministry said that any visits to Hong Kong by US ships and aircraft is suspended, and that more consequences could be coming:

“We urge the US to correct the mistakes and stop interfering in our internal affairs. … China will take further steps if necessary to uphold Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity and China’s sovereignty,” ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.

“They shoulder some responsibility for the chaos in Hong Kong and they should be sanctioned and pay the price,” the spokeswoman added, with sanctions targeting NGOs such as Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, the National Endowment for Democracy, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and the International Republican Institute.

The new law, signed by the president, effectively grants Hong Kong a special trading status, under which it is not affected by US sanctions or tariffs placed on China, and also allows Hong Kong residents, who were arrested during non-violent protests, to obtain US visas.

The main problem in this case is not the ban itself, but rather the message that it carries. After some good news and relief that a deal could be made soon to end the ongoing trade war, recent events related to Hong Kong could damage the work that has been done, giving a rise to tension between the two nations and a fair amount of complications in the negotiation process.