Hong Kong: Donald Trump signs bill supporting protesters

US President Donald Trump has just signed a bill which supports protesters in Hong Kong.

Protests have been happening there for many months.

At first, they were because of a controversial extradition law, which has now been scrapped.

But the protests have continued and are now over issues linked to democracy, human rights and their treatment by the police.

So, what is the bill all about and why has Donald Trump signed it?

What does the bill say?

The US House of Representatives support the bills

The Human Rights and Democracy Act was first introduced in June, and was overwhelmingly supported by the House of Representatives - one half of US Congress - who help to pass new laws.

As part of it, there will be an annual review. The new bill says: "Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system.

"The [review] shall assess whether China has eroded Hong Kong's civil liberties and rule of law as protected by Hong Kong's Basic Law."

The bill means that Hong Kong will keep its special trading status so it won't be affected by US sanctions or tariffs placed on mainland China.

It will also allow Hong Kong residents to apply for a US visa - a document which allows people to leave, stay or enter there for a set amount of time - even if they have been arrested for taking part in non-violent protests.

The president also signed a second bill, which bans the selling of crowd-control munitions - things like tear gas and rubber bullets - to the police in Hong Kong.

How have people reacted?

China's foreign minister has commented on the issue

China's foreign ministry has reacted by saying that the US is "going down the wrong path", and that there would be "counter measures".

It's as President Trump is trying to set up a deal with China, to end a difficult trade war between the two countries.

Another statement from the Chinese foreign ministry said: "The US has been disregarding facts and distorting truth," and that they were backing "criminals" who "jeopardized social order."

Hong Kong's government have also reacted.

They said that the American bill would send the wrong signal, and would not help to ease the situation in Hong Kong.

However, the bill is being supported by a key activist in the Hong Kong protest movement, Joshua Wong, who has said the US law was a "remarkable achievement" for "all Hongkongers".

University students protest by covering their faces with masks and holding a free Hong Kong signs

President Trump had previously not committed to signing the bill, saying he was "with" Hong Kong, but also that China's president Xi Jinping was "an incredible guy".

However, the bills have received support from Congress, meaning that even if President Trump decided not to sign it, the government could have voted to put it through anyway.

"[The bills] are being enacted in the hope that leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences, leading to long-term peace and prosperity for all," Mr Trump said.