The Chinese central government's decision to circumvent the Hong Kong legislature and impose long-delayed national security laws in Hong Kong will provide a major rallying point as protests rebound following COVID-19. In terms of U.S.-China relations, an uptick in demonstrations and the high-profile erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy will provide another trigger that could derail the phase one trade deal , although the White House will be careful not to subordinate its China policy to a single issue such as Hong Kong. China's National People's Congress convened May 22 for its annual gathering, with a representative confirming earlier speculation that congress will consider a proposal to empower its standing committee to draft Hong Kong national security legislation.