U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday signed into law two pieces of congressional legislation backing protesters in Hong Kong, according to a White House statement.

S. 1838, the "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019," and S. 2710 were both signed into law on Wednesday by President Trump. 

S. 1838 specifies U.S. policy toward Hong Kong, directs assessment of the political developments in Hong Kong and other purposes, while S. 2710 prohibits U.S. exports of specified police equipment to Hong Kong, the White House statement said.

In a separate statement also issued on Wednesday, Trump said he hoped the "leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the two bills last Wednesday after they were unanimously passed by the Senate a day before.

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