The United States is urging all sides in Hong Kong’s democracy protests to refrain from violence, according to a Trump administration official, after a fresh wave of anti-government mass action saw the territory’s airport cancel all flights.
Increasingly violent demonstrations have plunged the Chinese-ruled territory into its most serious crisis in decades, heightening fears of a hardline crackdown and sparking demands that the U.S. do more to guard Hong Kong’s special status.
President Trump has in the past described the protests as “riots” and been accused of following Beijing’s line as he tries to secure a trade deal with China.
A senior administration official said the U.S. was monitoring developments. “Societies are best served when diverse political views are respected and can be freely and peacefully expressed,” he said. “The United States urges all sides to refrain from violence.”
But the statement was criticized by China watchers for equating the power of the protesters with that of Chinese security forces.
“Yes, the protesters shouldn’t attack people or destroy property, but the violence by the protesters can’t possibly be compared to the potential destruction that the People’s Liberation Army or People’s Armed Police could cause,” said an analyst who asked to remain anonymous.
In contrast, Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, made clear to whom his warning was directed.
“We see the need for de-escalation of tensions, we need to see the local authorities listening to the very serious concerns brought forward by Chinese citizens,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted out strong support for the protesters.
The people of Hong Kong are bravely standing up to the Chinese Communist Party as Beijing tries to encroach on their autonomy and freedom. Any violent crackdown would be completely unacceptable. As I have said on the Senate floor: The world is watching. https://t.co/5VPm5P4PfB
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) August 12, 2019
Hong Kong’s mass demonstrations show no signs of easing. They began more than two months ago after a controversial extradition bill sparked anger.
On Monday, thousands of anti-government protesters occupied the main airport, causing all flights to be canceled in the afternoon.
State media reported that armed police had assembled in the neighboring city of Shenzen for exercises, raising concerns that anti-terror laws may be used as a pretext for a violent clampdown.
Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, warned Beijing against moving on the protesters.
“The people of Hong Kong are bravely standing up to the Chinese Communist Party as Beijing tries to encroach on their autonomy and freedom,” he wrote in tweet.
“Any violent crackdown would be completely unacceptable … The world is watching.”
Hong Kong was administered as a British colony under the terms of a 99-year lease until 1997. It was handed back to China, which agreed to a “one country, two systems” model, under which the territory would retain its legal and police systems and see minimal change to its political structure.
The territory has seen sporadic democracy protests ever since. The most recent wave began in June with a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be put on trial in mainland China.
Critics say Trump is focused on thrashing out a trade deal at the expense of America’s historic role as a protector of democracy.
Scott Kennedy, a China specialist with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the U.S. should be sending a clear message to the Hong Kong government that it must be more sensitive to the views of its residents about democracy and refrain from asking Beijing to deploy security forces.
“If there is a violent crackdown it will be in part because the U.S. did not do what it could to avoid that outcome,” he said.
But Steve Bucci, a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said Trump had made clear his views on the threat posed by Beijing to democracy and stability.
“At this point it is pretty obvious that the president disagrees with the way the Chinese government runs things,” he said. “I don’t think stirring the pot will add anything to what the protesters are doing and has the potential to subtract a lot.”
