China’s parliament on Thursday announced dramatic plans to write a new national security law to limit opposition activity in Hong Kong. A spokesman said the National People’s Congress will consider a bill to “establish enforcement mechanisms” for the former British colony that would curb secession, sedition, foreign interference, and terrorism—a move likely to fuel fresh street protests and stoke U.S.-China tensions.
“The is the end of Hong Kong,” said one opposition lawmaker. “I foresee the status of Hong Kong as an international city will be gone very soon.” Another pro-democracy official called it the “saddest day in Hong Kong history.”
On Thursday, Trump warned the U.S. would respond “very strongly” to moves to curtail democracy protests in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, two U.S. senators, Democrat Chris Van Hollen and Republican Pat Toomey, introduced a bill to sanction officials enforcing the proposed law, calling it a “brazen interference” in Hong Kong’s autonomy.