Hong Kong risks catastrophe in China-US proxy battle, Global Times chief warns
- Editor-in-chief of nationalistic tabloid says Western meddling has made de-escalation difficult but the city’s future is in its own hands
- Beijing does not want Hong Kong to become just another mainland city, Hu Xijin says
Hong Kong risks “catastrophic” consequences if it does not stop itself from becoming a battleground between China and the United States, according to Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, a nationalistic newspaper in the People’s Daily stable.
In Hong Kong on a fact-finding trip as the city enters its 13th week of unprecedented social unrest, Hu said he was still hopeful of a “soft landing”, or peaceful end to the turmoil triggered by the now-shelved extradition bill.
He said that while the unrest was mainly the result of domestic factors, “aiding and abetting” by the United States and other Western countries made de-escalation difficult.
“The unrest was caused by Hong Kong’s own internal problems. But its nature started to change over time. As with any mass movement, it is emotional in nature and is sustained largely by emotional forces,” he said.
“The US and other Western countries have been very vocal in their support and they show no intention of toning it down. The protesters feel encouraged and motivated, they will not reflect on their actions but carry on.”
Hu said the West’s response to Hong Kong contrasted with reaction to the Catalan separatist protests in Spain.
