China's state media lashed out on Sunday at possible retaliatory moves by the United States to impose sanctions and end Hong Kong's special status if Beijing imposes new national security laws, as the city braces for fresh protests.
The state-backed China Daily said U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to "take action to revoke Hong Kong's preferential treatment as a separate customs and travel territory," and to impose sanctions on unspecified individuals, would hurt the United States, and unite Hong Kong with mainland China.
"China has already prepared for the worst. No matter how far the U.S. goes, China will keep its company. If Trump's plan continues, Washington will soon run counter to the interests of most Hong Kong people," the state-run Global Times tabloid wrote.