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President Trump on Wednesday signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which will seek to ensure that Hong Kong has sufficient autonomy from China to maintain favorable trading terms with the United States.

\"PHOTO:
Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images
PHOTO: Pro-democracy protesters take part in a Thanksgiving Day rally, Nov. 28, 2019, in Hong Kong.
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\"PHOTO:A
Marko Djurica/Reuters
PHOTO:A sign reading "Thanks" with a U.S. flag above is seen during a gathering in Hong Kong, Nov. 28, 2019.
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The bill, which would impose sanctions on Chinese officials for cracking down on the protesters, passed the House and Senate last week with nearly unanimous support.

Photos: Dramatic images from the Hong Kong protests

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who co-sponsored the bill, said in a statement to ABC News that the signing \"sends a clear signal to Beijing: the United States will not stand by and watch China break its treaty commitments and try to dominate all of Asia.\"

\"PHOTO:
Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images
PHOTO: Pro-democracy demonstrators take part in a Thanksgiving Day rally, Nov. 28, 2019, in Hong Kong.
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China lambasted the signing of the bill, citing further damage to the U.S.-China relations.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng told U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad that the move constituted \"serious interference in China's internal affairs and a serious violation of international law.\"

\"PHOTO:
Leah Millis/Reuters
PHOTO: Protester holds a U.S. flag as she attends a rally in Hong Kong, China, Nov. 28, 2019.
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\"PHOTO:
Leah Millis/Reuters
PHOTO: Demonstrators holding U.S. flags attend a rally in Hong Kong, Nov. 28, 2019.
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Protests in Hong Kong began in early June in response to a proposed law that would allow extradition to mainland China and in favor of more direct democracy. The law has since been withdrawn, but the protests have continued over police violence and expanded demands.

ABC News' Joseph Simonetti contributed to this report.

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