US AXES HONG KONG PRIVILEGES, BARS ENTRY OF CHINESE STUDENTS

The US has stripped Hong Kong of its special privileges following China's approval of national security laws governing the autonomous region.

In a story written for the Agence France Presse (AFP) by Shaun Tandon and Philippe Rater US President Donald Trump said Friday (Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Manila) he would strip several of Hong Kong's special privileges with the US and bar some Chinese students from US universities who are considered security risks in anger over Beijing's bid to exert control in the financial hub.

In a day of concerted action, the US and Britain also raised alarm at the UN Security Council over a controversial new law for Hong Kong, angering Beijing which said that the discussion had no place at the world body. In an announcement at the White House that Trump had teased for a day, he  attacked China over its treatment of the former British colony, saying it was "diminishing the city's long-standing and proud status."

Yet, Trump was light on specifics and notably avoided any personal criticism of President Xi Jinping, with whom he has boasted of having a friendship even as the two powers feud over a rising range of issues. "I am directing my administration to begin the process of eliminating policy that gives Hong Kong different and special treatment," Trump said. "This will affect the full range of agreements, from our extradition treaty to our export controls on dual-use technologies and more, with few exceptions." #HongKong