What causes the Hong Kong protests?
Updated 12:37, 11-Aug-2019
CGTN
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Over the past two months, Hong Kong has experienced chaos and confusion that have wrecked the Asian financial hub profoundly. As the crisis goes on, Hong Kong protests are becoming severely irrational. Meanwhile, more evidences showing foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs are emerging and exposing continuously.

So who plot the work of "evil behind-the-scenes masterminds" that have incited and funded violent protests? Well, the answer is absolutely obvious.

A report in Hong Kong major newspaper Ta kung Pao said there had been a meeting between several radical opposition figures, including the "Hong Kong independence" activist Joshua Wong and a female official from the U.S. on Tuesday. Later, the secret lady's identify was disclosed as Julie Eadeh, political unit chief of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong & Macau.

"Hong Kong independence" activist Joshua Wong (2nd L) meets with Julie Eadeh, political unit chief of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong & Macao on Tuesday. /CGTN Photo

"Hong Kong independence" activist Joshua Wong (2nd L) meets with Julie Eadeh, political unit chief of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong & Macao on Tuesday. /CGTN Photo

Undeniable facts

Joshua Wong then confirmed the meeting under media pressures but dismissed the claim of collusion. He said "there is nothing special" in their conversation but didn't mention the duty of the U.S. official and how many of them joined. And it is even more ridiculous that the separatists threatened to wage student strikes in September via social media websites after that.

On Thursday, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong lodged solemn representations and expressed dissatisfaction and opposition, demanding clarification from the U.S. side.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus speaks during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington, D.C., June 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus speaks during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington, D.C., June 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. spokesperson, later admitted the meeting at a press conference, claiming that U.S. government representatives "meet regularly with a wide cross-section of people across Hong Kong and Macau". The U.S. State Department accused Hong Kong media reports of "leaking an American diplomat's private information" and called China "a thuggish regime".

She also noted that this is what American diplomats do every single day around the world to meet with opposition individuals. Indeed, many countries are disordered by thuggish U.S. diplomacy.

Again, Washington wants to call white black and distort the truth. In a separate statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the U.S. State Department spokesperson should first reflect on her own words and deeds and should not use media reports to attack or blame other countries' governments. She also urged the U.S. side to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations.

More facts

Since the beginning of amendments to a fugitive transfer bill in Hong Kong, rumors that this move will affect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and global confidence have been spread out. Though the law has long been pronounced dead, violent demonstrations persist. And they have evolved into overt provocations against ordinary people, businesses and lawful authorities.

Screenshot from U.S. Department of State official website.

Screenshot from U.S. Department of State official website.

In late February, Kurt W. Tong, U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong and Macao, criticized the HKSAR government for amendments to the fugitive bill and China's "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

In March, U.S. Department of State issued the "2019 Hong Kong Policy Act Report" which accused Chinese central government of implementing or instigating a number of actions that were inconsistent with the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984. In the context, U.S. Department of State distorted facts maliciously, claiming that HKSAR government's crackdown on "Hong Kong independence" activists, the introduction of National Anthem Law and Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link were all the proof of erosion of Hong Kong democracy and freedom.  

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi answers questions during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on July 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. /VCG Photo

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi answers questions during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on July 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. /VCG Photo

Also in June, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi publicly stated that Hong Kong demonstrations were "a beautiful landscape" and part of congressmen raked up the so-called "Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act". Then in July, Pence and U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton held meetings with Hong Kong opposition leaders.

Beyond that, more American faces appeared in Hong Kong violent demonstration scenes from media exposed pictures, even the figure of American flag.

Demonstrators wield American flag on the street in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, August 3, 2019. /Photo from China Daily

Demonstrators wield American flag on the street in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, August 3, 2019. /Photo from China Daily

NED's prudent tactics in Hong Kong's chaos

The U.S. is not satisfied in overt oral support for Hong Kong, but resorts to financial backing. It's not a harshly-worded statement that the U.S. government is pumping up loads of cash via the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) to some of the organizations in Hong Kong who mainly plotted and participated in the highly-tensed protests.

Although the NED defines itself as a private, non-profit organization committed to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide, it has been on suspicion of in league with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and accused of playing a role in covert actions against governments.

The NED has been on suspicion of league with Central Intelligence Agency. /VCG Photo

The NED has been on suspicion of league with Central Intelligence Agency. /VCG Photo

Founded in 1983, the entity has four main branches, two of which – the Solidarity Center and the National Democratic Institute – seem quite active in Hong Kong. It has granted some 355,000 U.S. dollars to these two organizations for their work in the city last year alone, and has been in contact with the so-called "pro-independence movement."

Although former U.S. president Ronald Reagan established the NED as a more discreet and less controversial instrument to "export democracy," China has always been alert about foreign interference into its internal affairs – a bottom line for many other countries in the world.

Looking back on it, Hong Kong's grim situation indicates that the West has been the "black hand" behind the stage to whip up Hong Kong youth that "only violence can solve problems," to fool innocent citizens unaware of the truth. Of course, U.S. administration has particularly played a disgraceful role in the riots. Washington publicly supports the radical protesters but never condemns violence targeting Hong Kong police.

So does the "double standard" really make sense to the world?