In April the Hong Kong government, under pressure from Beijing, introduced legislation that would allow people accused of crimes against mainland China to be extradited. Massive protests have since ensued over fear the law will be used to target democracy activists and journalists. How should the U.S. respond?
The legislation you reference has already been pulled back by Beijing and their hand-picked administrator running HK over a month ago. However, the people of HK are NOT stupid and realize that Beijing has no real intention of fully honoring the 50 year semi-autonomous treaty between Britain and China regarding HK that was signed in 1997. It simply doesn’t fit into President Xi’s or the CCP’s long-term plans, which have already been laid out. So the people of HK are demonstrating to try and elicit global support for getting the world community to at least get China to honor the terms of the British / China treaty.
Sadly, aside from the United States, the rest of the world, including Britain, doesn’t want to risk upsetting China by speaking up for the people of HK. So much for the so-called “world community”. Only the United States, which always seems to be the case, actually seems to care and is willing to say so. However, to be brutally honest at this point, this is an strictly internal Chinese matter. China has been crushing any and all opposition to the iron rule of the CCP since 1949. That’s why they have real concentration camps and re-education centers for millions of their own citizens. That is why they have slaughtered millions since taking power to keep that power firmly in their hands. To the CCP, HK is simply the next group of citizens to be brought to heel under the boot of communism. So aside from threatening potentially additional economic sanctions should China do a repeat of 1989’s TS crackdown in HK, that’s about the extent of what the United States response should be. I know a number of RINO’s and Democrats think we should go to war with China over HK, but the RINO’s and Democrats only want President Trump to do this so they can say “See! President Trump lied and started a major war with China! So everyone should vote for a Democrat in 2020 to bring us peace.”
The reality is HK is part of China and thus HK is at the mercy, or the complete lack thereof, of the CCP. It is a purely internal Chinese matter. When Britain handed over HK to China in 1997, the clock started ticking towards the end of democracy for the people of HK. It is simply happening far sooner than most citizens of HK would have liked. I feel extremely sorry for the people of HK, as they are going to lose all their freedoms and rights one way or the other. It is only a question of how soon it will be. Those that do have valid passports and can afford to leave HK should, because once HK becomes fully unified with China their lives and their futures will be sealed.
BRAVO, CITIZENS OF HK !
The people of HK know how inherently EVIL Communism is and they
won’t go down without a fight resisting the tyranny of a total state control government.
They know liberty and freedom are worth fighting and perhaps even dying for and they are willing to make that sacrifice.
Godspeed to the people of HK, we in the USA stand with you – LET FREEDOM RING !
GBA/KAG/#TRUMP2020 – Deus Vult !
The tenacity of the people of Hong Kong to secure their God-given freedoms is inspiring. Shame on the free world if they turn their backs on these people and allow mainland Communist China to enslave them. America should not limit it’s involvement by merely hoping for a “peaceful resolution.” It is impossible to negotiate with communist overlords who have no integrity, and who have sworn to dominate the world by destroying all human agency. Ultimately the fight belongs to the people of Hong Kong. In the mean time, the Free World should condemn China with words and actions that convey explicit intent to surrender no more of the world’s real estate to communism.
Getting involved,could lead to possible conflict witch we should out of.
We do not want a war with China, it could well be the beginning of the end!
Let’s get our own house in order before we insert ourselves in the affairs of others. “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible.” George Washington.
China is not living up to agreement it made with Britain when Britain’s 99 year lease of Hong Kong from China was over in 1997–or so the world is being told. Seems like Britain & China are the players in this fight for Hong Kong people to remain a demoncracy of sorts. Let Britain and China duke it out.
We As Americans are fighting for our democracy against the liberals who want to turn us into a communist socialist country.
The first thing they will want to do is disarm us so we can’t fight back.
Keep up the good work!!!
NOW the democrats are concerned about the people of Hong Kong being forced into communism when that’s exactly what they’re advocating, under a different name, for us? What hypocrites! They’re just trying to goad Trump into doing something they can use against him in the 2020 election. Don’t fall for it. There’s nothing we or anyone else can do for Hong Kong.
For much of the history of the USA, we have been looked on to bail many countries out of trouble. This is not the time to get involved with choosing sides, as we are in a trade war with China. If Hong Kong wants a democracy let them show their colors and fight the fight. When a person stands up for their own rights it builds character and pride. The USA can support the cause, but we are 22 + $$trillion in debt now and part of that is borrowed from China, so I feel we should sit this one out. If the people in Hong Kong can shut down an airport then they are already showing force.
If we so willfully look away from this issue the world will look away from us when the same issue comes to us. Communism has always been a slow growing cancer. And that is precisely what the liberal, progressive, socialist, and communist democrats are trying to do now !
I say hooray for the freedom-loving people of Hong Kong, and hopefully the world will open their eyes and get involved and put China in its place. We cannot blame the people of Hong Kong for wanting their freedom and out of the oppressive regime of China. Hopefully England & other democratic, freedom-loving countries in the world will get involved & not always expect the USA to take charge! Open your eyes Democratic, freedom-loving people of the world and get involved in this and don’t wait for the USA to do it!
If China loses HK they lose $$$$$ alone.
No income alone & bad media.
Impact trade & market alone & investments worldwide.
Huge implications
Stay out of it, at least for now, but keep watching.
We should support the people of Hong Kong in their struggle against a totalitarian government.
I do not know enough about the issue to vote other than “not sure.”
My answer was that it’s not our business to tell the Chinese how to run their country. That said, I do think we should make sure the people in Hong Kong know we support their struggle for democracy. Really, there’s nothing we can do about it except shine the light on their demands and China’s response to them.
Maybe we (US) can swap our socialist democrat protesters (antifa and the like) for HK’s protesters.
The protesters are fighting against communist rule, they are up against soldiers wearing police uniforms. They need support from the free world. We should pay attention, that can happen here if we vote for any socialist, (liberal, communist). We must not allow our Constitution to be changed!
The people of Hong Kong want the same liberty America enjoys. They fly the American flag to make that point. The Chinese will eventually come in and imprison or kill these brave people. We are about to witness a terrible event. The people who facilitate mass murder should be documented and pursued by the World court. They should not be allowed to travel outside of China and if they do they need to be arrested and sent to the Hague for trial. They need to understand they will be seen as Global criminals.
I’ve been called worse, but as a realist, I believe in America First! The tenacity and willingness of Hong Kong to resist China is admirable, but they have a very long, hard road ahead. As much as I morally support them, we can no longer be big brother for the world. We have our own Civil War going on right here. We are in a battle to save this country from a group of socialist, liberal idiots that are trying to wipe out the very lifestyle and fundamentals our constitution has provided for over 240 years! It’s a war, pick your battles.
Perhaps a thought experiment would be instructive.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the United States arrested and imprisoned people for being communist sympathizers. Many more people were blacklisted and prevented from engaging in their chosen professions for the same reason. How should the Soviet Union and China have responded?
While the people of the United States might sympathize with the protesters in Hong Kong, it is none of the business of the U.S. government.
My first choice for this pole would have been to continue to speak strongly in defense of Hong Kong, but take no military action.
Our government leaders should pray to the LORD God of creation and seek His will as to which direction to go. God will give wisdom if our leaders will humbly seek His direction.
Americans should verbally support, and —if wanted —*individually*, *privately*fund freedom/liberty movements abroad, but our government should NOT physically, militarily or financially participate in this struggle. AND no amnesties, no refugees, no mass immigration of Chinese to our nation! I personally admire the courage of the protestors. They can be likened to our Founders.
I have been to Hong Kong in June of 2019. Mainland China is trying to take away all the rights that they agreed to with Britain in 1997. The Hong Kong police are brutal killers installed from Beijing . The Hong Kong leadership was installed by Beijing. The protester are fighting for democracy and freedom. Of course the media promotes communism much as our media is doing in the US. We are losing freedom here also.
It’s none of our business. If civil war were to break out here would you want china butting in? I think not.
Our struggle with China should remain on the trade imbalance and for China to put continued pressure on North Korea. Hong Kong was handed over to China and they need to work out their own issues. If it becomes a humanitarian situation, then we need to put pressure on the Chinese.
Unlikely either good choice is perfect. All choices have problems. Staying out often supports those occupying power positions. I say do not support the position of those in power in this situation. Some outside support is good. But excessive outside support could move the situation from bad to worse. More freedom verses propagandized blame depending on the view point!
Can’t let the Chicoms stop people that want there freedoms ! China will run them over if given the opportunity. Don’t trust them , they steal and cheat at every opportunity!!
No direct involvement because it would give China a reason for escalating violence and would be inconsistent with President Trump’s commitment to stay out of foreign conflicts. I do support non public advisement of China that military action will result in US led sanctions, removal from the WTO, termination of all Chinese visa’s, removal of ambassadors etc.
China’s government is crooked and evil. Killing Christians and harvesting their body parts-they rank right up there with planned Parenthood and Islam!!!
The problems in HK really concern me.
I have to go to that craphole China this fall on business, and I’m definitely NOT looking forward to the trip.
I hope I can get the company to fly me into somewhere other than HK because of the protests.
I keep praying I win a lotto jackpot and can quit before then. LOL
The Beijing Government should be held accountable to the agreement between them and the British that ended British rule in Hong Kong. They have benefited tremendously from Hong Kong’s semi autonomy, so it is in their own self interest to preserve the agreement. There are a lot of irons in the Chinese fire right now what with their poaching of patents, claiming of hegemony over international waters, and close neighbor Un’s nuclear ambitions. Thank God the Trump is in the White House.
A massive boat lift of asylum seekers from HK would be appropriate. Move the freedom loving capitalists of HK to San Francisco.
China is a sovereign nation with ownership and sovereignty over the territory of Hong Kong. America must not interfere, but can certainly register its displeasure at China’s willful bullying of its province in every forum available, including the useless U.N.
America First. Assistance for the protestors would only complicate the ongoing trade negotiations. Free trade will free many more people.
Let them sort out their own issues. We have enough problems here at home that need to be dealt with and aren’t.
I have family in Hong Kong and have visited there 4 times back when it was still under British rule and everyone seemed to get along well but when it went back under Chinese rule the general attitude of the citizens drastically changed. Most people just a few years later including the Chinese citizens wished that the British would take it back over. The whole atmosphere of how the island was run had changed and made visiting there not so pleasant. I have not been back after witnessing these changes and miss seeing my 4 grand children on a more regular basis!
THIS is exactly how WE, THE PEOPLE protested and won America against the King of England! GOD would not want a righteous person to ignore the people of Hong Kong. PRAY FOR THEM. TELL OTHERS TO PRAY FOR THEM. Afterall, We, the People, the good and righteous people in America, prayed over Donald J. Trump and GOD ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS! Trump is NOT a perfect person, but then neither is anyone else, but TRUMP is trying his best to fulfill every promise he gave to the American people even though his agenda has been obstructed over and over again by nasty, evil liberals/Democrats.
PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF CHINA AND HONG KONG!
100% tariffs till they honor human rights!
Standing with Hong Kong doesn’t have to entail anything that would be considered hegemony. I was going to Hong Kong before most folks reading this or their parents were born. I was a China Fleet sailor for 25 years before retiring in 99. I have been with the DoD ever since. I have advanced studies in peace and conflict resolution, strategic studies, etc. No I don’t think I’m special, that’s typical for a Navy Mustang. What is relevant is that I’ve been there before, during, and after the transition. Historically speaking the British have always had a much larger footprint in Hong Kong than the U.S.. And yet, they’re not over there singing God Save the Queen waving the Union Jack. It is imperative to redress the situation and confront Chinese jingoism and hegemony in the Pacific. Otherwise, a “gut busting mother loving Navy war” is inevitable. (again, hence the ‘In Harm’s Way’ reference).
Simple solution: Just trade California to China for Hong Kong.
I can’t answer according to any of the offered selections. Great Britain needs to enforce its contract with China which declares that there is democracy in Hong Kong for the next 50 years. It is highly unlikely that they give a crap enough to do that .
Only Trumps personal relationship with The premier of China will bring a peaceful and to this .
It’s great Britain’s place to do something, and since we are allies we support them. However we are not the world’s police .
China is our enemy. The communist government has never been and never will be our ally. We should stop all trading with their country as long as they have this kind of government.
The U.S. has always stood for and supported democracy and should continue to do so at home and around the world
I know this is going to raise a a few hackles, but I have thick skin. The US needs to stay out of the ChiCom/HK ordeal until we have our own burgeoning Democrat/Socialist problems under some semblance of control. We can’t solve the world’s problems until we have our own problems firmly in hand.
Looks like half the voters are communist sympathizers.
It brought tears to my eyes to watch them ( Hong Kong ) wave the American Flag and sing National Anthem. China is playing the long game .