WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has signed an order in a bid to end preferential treatment for Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China,” the president told reporters at the White House after signing the order.

Trump said he had also signed bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on Chinese officials who crack down on rights in Hong Kong.

The ex-British colony enjoys unique freedoms not seen in mainland China.

But many people in the territory fear a new security law imposed by Beijing will bring an end to Hong Kong’s special status, agreed under a 1984 pact between China and the UK.

The legislation – which outlaws criticism of China’s government – is the most sweeping change to the political landscape of Hong Kong since it was handed back to China by the UK in 1997.
Speaking in the Rose Garden, Mr Trump said his executive order would end preferential treatment for Hong Kong.

“No special privileges, no special economic treatment and no export of sensitive technologies,” said the president, who first announced in May that his administration would begin paring back the territory’s special status.

(With inputs from Agencies)