Hong Kong leaders back new security law, say Trump 'wrong' for curbing ties

Trump told reporters at the White House that China's move on Hong Kong was a tragedy for the world

Senior Hong Kong government officials lashed out on Saturday at moves by US President Donald Trump to strip the city of its special status in a bid to punish China for imposing national security laws on the global financial hub.

Speaking hours after Trump said the city no longer warranted economic privileges and some officials could face sanctions, security minister John Lee told reporters that Hong Kong's government could not be threatened and would push ahead with the new laws, Reuters reported.

"I don't think they will succeed in using any means to threaten the (Hong Kong) government, because we believe