China’s gateway to West under threat
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U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed a strong response to China’s controversial national security legislation on Hong Kong
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1840-42 Opium War: Britain goes to war following Chinese crackdown on British
opium trade. War’s settlement forces China to cede Hong Kong to British
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Jul 1997: Hong Kong is handed back to China under one country, two systems – concept to preserve island’s role as global financial centre
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2020: Beijing’s anti-sedition law: Will ban treason, secession, sedition and subversion. Aimed at stamping out pro-democracy protests that have racked Hong Kong since June 2019
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Options open to President Trump

Trade: Strip territory of U.S. preferential trade status – this could impact more than 1,300 U.S. companies and 85,000 American residents operating in Hong Kong
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Visas: Cancel visas of thousands of graduate students affiliated with Chinese universities tied to People’s Liberation Army
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Sanctions: Against Hong Kong individuals involved in efforts to suppress protests, and officials in mainland China, including members of powerful Politburo
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U.S. trade with Hong Kong (2018 – latest data)
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U.S. exports: $50.1bn
Goods $37.3bn
Services $12.8bn 
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Imports: $16.8bn
$6.3bn $10.5bn

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Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, USTR Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS