So-called ‘report’ reeks of false narratives and hypocrisy

The United States’ “2024 Hong Kong Policy Act Report” is boring, with the same misinformation regurgitated. The accompanied statement by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is tedious, to say the least.

This charade by the US government does nothing but instill a sense of distrust in the Hong Kong populace toward Washington. Blinken’s threat of visa restrictions on some Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government officials because of the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance is useless. Who would like to see such a hostile country anyway?

Blinken concluded his statement related to the report with: “We are committed to continuing to work with Congress and the international community to stand with the people in Hong Kong in calling for the restoration of Hong Kongers’ protected rights and freedoms, the immediate release of those unjustly detained or imprisoned under the National Security Law, and respect for the rule of law.”

Let’s get this straight. Hong Kong people are not calling for restoring their rights and freedoms; they have them now. Hong Kong people can do what they like and are free to do whatever they like within the framework of the law. Similar laws apply to the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and other places critical of Hong Kong’s national security laws.

Blinken also called for releasing those “unjustly detained” under the national security laws. Obviously, the US consul general in Hong Kong has not kept his boss up to date on the trial of former Apple Daily publisher Jimmy Lai Cheeying, charged with collusion and sedition. Otherwise, he would know that those detained were allegedly involved in criminal activities to overthrow the Hong Kong SAR government.

Blinken has also conveniently forgotten the Jan 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol, for which 1,200 rioters have been charged with sedition offenses. Already, 460 have been jailed, and the FBI is searching for another 220. This sends the message that the US administration and Congress condemn sedition on its home ground but condone sedition in Hong Kong. There could never be a better example of double standards and hypocrisy by the so-called self-proclaimed leader of the free world than this.

The HKSAR government was quick to condemn the report, saying it was compiled to serve the political purpose of maintaining US hegemony, and that Washington’s attempt to undermine the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong would only expose its own weakness and be doomed to fail.

Last year, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs listed five categories of US hegemony: political (throwing its weight around), military (wanton use of force), economy (looting and exploitation), technological (monopoly and suppression) and cultural (spreading false narratives). The “2024 Hong Kong Policy Act Report” falls under the final category — cultural. The entire report is full of false narratives.

For example, the report alleges that the central and HKSAR authorities are “intensifying a crackdown” on Hong Kong’s civil society, media, and dissenting voices, including the issuance of bounties and arrest warrants for more than a dozen “pro-democracy” activists living outside Hong Kong.

The so-called “pro-democracy” activists are alleged criminal insurgents fleeing justice and seeking protection in safe havens such as the US, the UK, Australia, and other places. Not only is the West hiding these criminals, but it is also encouraging others to follow suit. It is natural that Hong Kong wants these offenders back to face a fair trial and offers a bounty for their return. This is standard practice worldwide. The FBI has offered a bounty of $500,000 for information leading to the arrest of a pipe bomber near the Capitol the day before the Jan 6, 2021, insurrection. Jokingly, perhaps he is in the safe haven of Hong Kong! Many other bounties, including those wanted for the Jan 6 insurgency, range from $250,000 to $5 million.

The people of Hong Kong know that the report is not worth the paper it’s written on, and they know the real story is that Hong Kong is rapidly regaining its former glory through its own initiatives. It does not need the help of the US. However, this continual harassment is annoying and tiring, but to ignore it would mean accepting it, and that we will never do.

What is worrying about Blinken’s statement is his reference to working with Congress and the international community to “restore Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms”. By doing so, he is arming them with false narratives to continually lambast Hong Kong to oblivion. Unfortunately, Washington’s politicians and allies follow blindly.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.