Reader TTS

Beijing has hit Washington with punitive measures after the US came out in support of Hong Kong protesters, with China also suspending visits from US warships. Foreign ministry spokeswoman

Hua Chunying said: “In response to the unreasonable behaviour of the US side, the Chinese government has decided to suspend reviewing the applications for US warships to go to Hong Kong for

(rest and) recuperation as of today.” She said sanctions will apply to nations that act “badly” over the recent and continuous unrest in Hong Kong. She added: “China urges the United States

to correct its mistakes, stop any deeds and acts of interference in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.” The tariffs are the latest in a tit-for-tat row between US President

Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping, which began around a year ago with the Republican annoyed a crackdown on China’s colossal trade empire. The news comes as the US continues to increase

its presence and military potential in the South China Sea. Last week, Washington deployed two Independence-class ships specialising in nearshore operations, causing tensions to hit breaking

point in the area, which is being aggressively dominated by China with a strict militarisation programme. The deployment of the littoral combat ships signals a major shift in US strategy

for the area, away from reconnaissance and deterrence. A Beijing think tank has now claimed the US is deliberately increasing its attack capability. Both ships were noted to be active in the

area, where China’s claims over the region has brought it often into disputes with its neighbours. China’s continued efforts to establish military and economic footholds in the region has

brought the country increasingly in to conflict with the US, which has frequently sent warships past the disputed reefs in what it describes as “freedom of navigation” operations. READ NOW: 

MEGHAN MARKLE NEWS: MEGHAN TO SNUB DONALD TRUMP VISIT TO QUEEN [NEWS] Now President Donald Trump has signed The Human Rights and Democracy Act, which supports the pro-democracy protesters.

An extradition bill was introduced in Hong Kong in April, triggering the first round of protests. The controversial bill stoked anti-government sentiment as it would have allowed for

suspected criminals to be extradited to mainland China under some circumstances. Demonstrators said this bill risked opening Hong Kong citizens up to violence and unfair trials, as well as

giving China more influence over Hong Kong. This led to weeks of protests and hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in opposition to the extradition bill. The bill was

suspended but protests continued until, in September, the extradition bill was formally withdrawn by the government. Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam said: “Our citizens, police and reporters

have been injured during violent incidents. “There have been chaotic scenes at the airport and [mass transit railway] stations; roads and tunnels have been suddenly blocked. For many people,

Hong Kong has become an unfamiliar place.”