Chinese State Media on US Violent Protests: "Beautiful Hong Kong Scenes Spreading to America"

US House Speaker Responds to Description of Hong Kong Protests as 'Beautiful Scenery'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Chinese state-run media Global Times, criticized the United States, where violent protests are taking place, saying, "Be careful! The beautiful scenes of Hong Kong are spreading to the United States."

On the 31st, Hu reminded in an article by the state-run Global Times that last August, when clashes between protesters and police intensified during the fierce pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, described the Hong Kong protests as a "beautiful scene." At that time, Pelosi called the Hong Kong protests a beautiful scene, and China responded through a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, saying, "We hope there are many beautiful scenes in the United States as well."

Hu pointed out, "The beautiful scenes mentioned by the United States are spreading to more than ten U.S. states," adding, "Now American politicians can see this scene from their own windows. Protesters across the U.S. are setting fire to police stations, shops, and destroying various public facilities, very similar to how radical protesters in Hong Kong turned the city into chaos last year. It's as if they have crossed over to the United States."

He said, "According to the logic of the U.S., which has supported the Hong Kong rioters, China should now issue a statement supporting the U.S. protesters," and criticized, "Last Friday, President Trump also mentioned that sanctions should be imposed on China over the Hong Kong issue."

He continued, "The Trump administration probably did not expect retaliation to come so quickly," and questioned, "Racial discrimination and social inequality have always been severe in the U.S. The probability of riots occurring in the U.S. is much higher than in China. In this situation, how could American politicians publicly describe unrest in another country as a 'beautiful scene'?" He also pointed out, "The U.S. political system is in decline," and "The U.S. lacks the ability to calm the anger rising from the grassroots of society."

China, having experienced the Hong Kong protests last year, strongly felt the need to protect national security and pushed forward the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law). However, after China passed the Hong Kong Security Law at the closing session of the National People's Congress on the 28th, criticism from Western countries including the U.S. has continued. The Chinese government has defined this as interference in internal affairs by external forces and is escalating its level of condemnation.

The U.S.-China conflict over the Hong Kong issue is also intensifying. President Trump announced the day before that he would begin the process of revoking Hong Kong's special status as a retaliatory measure against China's forced passage of the Hong Kong Security Law. However, since detailed content was omitted, the move is analyzed as more of a threat and warning. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) analyzed, "In a situation where U.S.-China relations have been deteriorating for months, the Hong Kong issue will act as a new turning point."

Within the U.S., there are also calls to grant U.S. permanent residency to Hong Kong residents. On the 30th (local time), WSJ editorial stated, "Hong Kong is the frontline of the confrontation between the Chinese-style dictatorship model and the Western autonomy model," and suggested, "We need to find policies that impose burdens on China while minimizing damage to the U.S. Providing Hong Kong residents with permanent residency to live and work in the U.S. is also an option."