China warns the US it could take "firm counter-measures" if Washington continues to demonstrate support for Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.
The warning came after US President Donald Trump signed the Human Rights and Democracy Act into law, mandating an annual review checking if Hong Kong has enough autonomy to justify special status with the US.
A Chinese foreign ministry statement said the US "openly backed violent criminals who rampantly smashed facilities, set fire, assaulted innocent civilians, trampled on the rule of law, and jeopardised social order."