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Chinese State Media Accuse US of Meddling in Hong Kong Affairs

Joyce Huang

   A Chinese state-run newspaper Monday said the United States will be
   meddling in Hong Kong internal affairs if the U.S. Congress moves
   forward with a bipartisan bill in support of the city's democratic
   development and human rights.

   Analysts say Beijing continues to ramp up efforts to sway global
   opinion on the political crisis in Hong Kong after its strategy of
   'patiently waiting it out' seems to have not worked effectively.

   The city's anti-government protests have lasted for nearly three months
   and shown few signs of abating especially after the entrance of a
   Central Metro station was set on fire on Sunday amid escalating
   tensions between pro-democracy activists and police.

   Deep Intervention

   In an editorial, titled "Washington has no right to define HK's high
   degree of autonomy," the Global Times argued that "the passage of the
   bill would constitute as a deep intervention in Hong Kong affairs, but
   it won't become a leverage to influence Beijing's decisions on the
   city's affairs."

   Washington only aims to insert pressure on Beijing for its own gains,
   the governmental mouthpiece went on to say, insisting that China will
   not cave into pressure but stand firmly behind its practice of 'one
   China, two systems' formula in Hong Kong.

   "The city's future will depend on how strong China is, and not on U.S.
   attitude toward Hong Kong," the paper concluded.

   Leaders of both the U.S. Senate and House recently pledged to advance
   the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which, if passed, would
   require Washington to annually assess the former British colony's level
   of autonomy from Beijing and cancel its trading privileges if that
   autonomy is compromised.

   Sanctions would also be imposed on officials who undermine the city's
   autonomy.

   Liberating Hong Kong

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