Sen. Josh Hawley and Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam went head-to-head over whether Hong Kong is turning into a police state.
The Missouri Republican was in Hong Kong on Sunday when he took video and pictures and commented on the freedom protests. He said at the end of the visit that he believed the city was becoming a “police state,” a comment that brought swift backlash from Lam.
My message for the Hong Kong Human Rights & Democracy Act protest today pic.twitter.com/R90KeObggJ
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 14, 2019
“I thought their visit to Hong Kong would enable them to see the actual situation in a comprehensive and objective manner,” Lam said. “But unfortunately the feedback that I’ve got is most of them, or several of them coming here, they have very preconceived views about Hong Kong’s situation. That’s why for this particular senator to describe Hong Kong as becoming a police state is totally irresponsible and unfounded.”
Lam then repeated a Communist Party talking point about police taking proper actions against violent protesters.
“I would challenge every politicians to ask themselves: If the large extent of violent acts … happened in their own country, what would they do? What would their policemen do?” she added.
???? “To describe Hong Kong as a police state is totally unfounded.”
Leader Carrie Lam says U.S. senators visiting Hong Kong have preconceived views about the city. Senators Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Rick Scott have visited the city since the #HongKongProtests #香港 pic.twitter.com/3L2OFQG3zg
— Bloomberg TicToc (@tictoc) October 15, 2019
Hawley responded on Twitter Monday night by telling Lam she should resign.
“I chose the words ‘police state’ purposely – because that is exactly what Hong Kong is becoming. I saw it myself. If Carrie Lam wants to demonstrate otherwise, here’s an idea: resign,” he said.
I chose the words “police state” purposely – because that is exactly what Hong Kong is becoming. I saw it myself. If Carrie Lam wants to demonstrate otherwise, here’s an idea: resign https://t.co/sulX0v4KCv
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 15, 2019
The senator’s comments came as Chinese President Xi Jinping threatened violence against those participating in the freedom protests.
“Anyone attempting to split China in any part of the country will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones,” Xi said Sunday.
The threat appeared to be a blanket statement of violence against dissenters in Hong Kong and Western-allied leaders of Taiwan.
Hong Kong has had months of protests ignited by an extradition bill that would have allowed Chinese authorities to haul Hong Kong political opponents out of the city to be tried in mainland China. The bill has been withdrawn for now, but Hong Kong citizens are demanding their freedoms be protected.
