Chinese Call on the World To Contrast Coverage of the Hong Kong Rioters and Those in the U.S.

May 30, 2020 (EIRNS)—Many commentaries in Chinese press point to the dichotomy of coverage of rioters in the United States from those in Hong Kong. South China Morning Post chief news editor Yonden Lhatoo’s column today is the best example:

“Here’s a little reality check for America’s many useful idiots in Hong Kong: Your great white hope for saving you from China’s clutches, U.S. President Donald Trump, just gave everyone an unpleasant taste of what he really feels about the kind of dissent that has been on display on the streets of this city since last year.

“Trump’s first response to violent public protests triggered by the death of an unarmed black man in the custody of Minneapolis police, apparently at the hands of a white officer, was to call them THUGS (in capital letters, no less) and threaten to send in the military with guns blazing. ‘When the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!’ he tweeted cheerfully.

“So when Americans take to the streets in an eruption of rage against systemic racism that has afflicted their country since its founding, they are ‘rioters’ who deserve to be shot dead? But when radicals in Hong Kong go on the rampage, hurling petrol bombs, destroying public property and lynching anyone who objects to their excesses in the name of democracy, they are mighty champions of freedom? The cognitive dissonance makes one’s head spin.... [Trump is] castigating Beijing for trying to end extreme social unrest in Hong Kong through a new national security law for the city. While he gets to use his own country’s national security laws on the U.S. population anytime he likes....

“If American demonstrators want to take a page from Hong Kong protesters playbook to frustrate their government, they could try the famous ‘five demands’—with U.S. characteristics, of course:

“1. End racism, especially against African Americans.

“2. Stop characterizing protesters as ‘rioters.’

“3. Amnesty for all arrested protesters.

“4. An independent inquiry into police brutality.

“5. President Trump step down immediately.

“What nonsense, you say? What government would agree to such demands? I rest my case.”

Of course, Trump earlier declared regularly that Hong Kong was China’s sovereign concern, until Pompeo and his British friends cornered him.