Cina. Hong Kong. La pazienza ha un limite.

Giuseppe Sandro Mela.

2019-08-07.

Gli stati sono aggettivati ‘sovrani’ perché hanno diritto e capacità a legiferare secondo tradizione e convenienza.

Se giustamente gli stati sono gelosi della propria autonomia e sovranità, è prassi disdicevole che uno stato straniero si impicci nei problemi interni di un altro.

Questo è il classico vizietto dei liberal socialisti, specie quelli europei.

Dal loro punto di vista vorrebbero imporre a tutti il loro credo ideologico che, sotto il nome di diritti umani, contrabbanda i diritti che secondo loro gli altri dovrebbero seguire. Sono davvero dei presuntuosi superbi.

Ad Hong Kong hanno fomentato ogni possibile tipologia di torbidi, ivi compresi dei gay pride ove a sfilare erano in gran parte occidentali in trasferta.

Hong Kong. Guarda guarda chi si rivede

Le fotografie sono inequivocabili.

* * * * * * *

Nessuno stato nazionale può tollerare separazioni e/o scissioni. Negli Stati Uniti il tentativo dette la stura alla Guerra Civile, di questi tempi la Spagna ha usato l’esercito per il problema indipendentista della Catalogna. Ma peri liberal ciò che negli Stati Uniti ed in Spagna era giusto e santo, sarebbe iniquo in Cina.

«China warns Hong Kong protesters not to ‘play with fire’»

«He accused Western “anti-China forces” and “meddling hands behind the scene” of instigating unrest»

«he cited US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who called the protests “a beautiful sight to behold”»

«the UK’s then-foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt who urged an investigation into the use of force by Hong Kong police»

*

Cinesi, gente pratica. Risolto il problema dell’integralismo islamico.

«Chinese authorities in the far-northwestern region of Xinjiang on Wednesday revised legislation to permit the use of “education and training centers” to combat religious extremism.»

«In practice, the centers are internment camps in which as many as 1 million minority Muslims have been placed in the past 12 months»

«The amended legislation states that Chinese regional governments “can set up vocational education and training centers … to educate and transform those who have been influenced by extremism.”»

«besides teaching the Mandarin language and providing vocational skills, the centers are now directed to provide “ideological education, psychological rehabilitation and behavior correction” under the new clause»

*

Nel laogai c’è posto anche per i ribelli di Hong Kong,

---

China warns Hong Kong protesters not to ‘play with fire’

China has issued a strong warning to Hong Kong’s protesters, saying their attempts “to play with fire will only backfire”.

A spokesman for China’s top policy office on Hong Kong told protesters not to “underestimate the firm resolve [of] the central government”.

Hong Kong has seen nine consecutive weeks of anti-government protests.

On Monday, a call for a general strike caused severe disruption, and more than 200 flights were cancelled.

Protesters want an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality, the complete withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill, and the resignation of Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam.

The demonstrations have frequently ended in violent clashes with police. They are seen as a challenge to Beijing’s authority in the territory – and a reflection of how many Hong Kongers fear that their freedoms are being eroded.

The former British colony is part of China but enjoys unique freedoms not seen on the mainland.

What did China say, and why is it significant?

The “radical demonstrations” have pushed Hong Kong “to the verge of a very dangerous situation”, said Yang Guang, a spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO).

He warned the protesters not to “mistake restraint for weakness”.

Attempts to force Ms Lam to resign “will lead nowhere”, he said, adding that the protests had had a “serious impact” on Hong Kong’s economy.

It is one of the strongest warnings Beijing has issued over the protests so far. The HKMAO rarely holds news conferences on Hong Kong – but this is its second briefing in two weeks.

Mr Yang said that “radical and violent” forces were at the forefront of the protests, while “some misled but well intentioned” citizens were caught in the middle.

He accused Western “anti-China forces” and “meddling hands behind the scene” of instigating unrest.

As examples, he cited US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who called the protests “a beautiful sight to behold”, and the UK’s then-foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt who urged an investigation into the use of force by Hong Kong police.

However, a pro-democracy politician, Lam Cheuk-ting, told the BBC there were no “external forces” behind the protests.

“It is not a movement organised by any overseas government but the Hong Kong people voluntarily,” he said.

Observers say the protests have largely appeared leaderless and unpredictable, involving “flash mob” style civil disobedience and voting through social media apps.

Could the military get involved?

While China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has troops stationed in Hong Kong, they are not expected to interfere in local issues – although the law does permit Hong Kong’s government to request their assistance for maintaining public order, or disaster relief.

During the news conference, Mr Yang was asked whether the Chinese military could get involved – but said Beijing was confident that Hong Kong police could restore order.

Last week, China’s army in Hong Kong prompted unease by posting a video of soldiers conducting anti-riot drills on the Chinese social media network Weibo.

What are the protests about?

The rallies began with fears over a proposed bill that would allow suspected criminals to be sent to mainland China to face trial.

Critics said it would undermine Hong Kong’s judicial independence and could be used to target those who spoke out against the Chinese government.

The row intensified as police were accused of using excessive force on protesters.

Though the bill has now been suspended, demonstrators want it fully withdrawn – and have also been expressing their anger at the police, and demanding an amnesty for protesters accused of rioting.

The protesters have become more confrontational in recent weeks, with demonstrators arguing that the government has not responded to peaceful rallies.

A city-wide strike on Monday crippled transport services and brought the city to a standstill.

About 250 flights were cancelled as airport and airline staff joined the strike.

Protests later took place in several districts, with police firing tear gas at demonstrators who rallied into the night, setting fires and besieging police stations.

In one district with a reputation for pro-Beijing sympathies, men wielding long poles clashed with demonstrators before falling back.

Police said 148 people, aged between 13 and 63, were arrested during Monday’s protests.

On Monday, Ms Lam gave her first media address in two weeks, warned that Hong Kong was “on the verge of a very dangerous situation”.

She also accused activists of using the extradition bill as a cover for their real goal, which was to “destroy Hong Kong”.

*

---

China warns Hong Kong protesters of severe repercussions

Demonstrators in Hong Kong should not underestimate China’s “immense strength,” a government official has warned. Unrest has reached new levels in recent days and punishment is “only a matter of time.”

*

China issued a stark warning to the “behind-the-scenes masterminds” on Tuesday over continued demonstrations in Hong Kong, saying that “those who play with fire will perish by it.”

At a press briefing in Beijing, Yang Guang, spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said that central government has “immense strength” and that punishment for those behind the demonstrations is “only a matter of time.”

Yang added that the “radical protests… have severely impacted Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, pushing it into a dangerous abyss.”

He also had a firm warning for the “criminals” behind the protests: “Don’t ever misjudge the situation and mistake our restraint for weakness.”

People power

Earlier on Tuesday, a group of activists wearing masks and hard hats held a press conference in the Mong Kok neighborhood of the city. They urged the city’s leader Carrie Lam to “return power to the people and to address the demands of Hong Kong citizens.”

The three activists, who declined to give their real names, said the group “was not affiliated with any political party or organization leading the movement.”

One of them added: “We strongly condemn the police for the series of violent acts and urge them and the government not to be enemies against the public.”

Escalating unrest

The protesters are seeking the resignation of Carrie Lam. In addition, they are angry at proposals which would allow case-by-case extraditions of alleged criminals to mainland China. The Chinese government recently shelved the plans in the wake of the demonstrations.

However, unrest has continued, if anything with more fervor than before, as protesters call for expanded democratic rights and further autonomy.

Police said Monday’s figures reached a new high with the largest daily toll of arrests since the protests began.

“During the operation yesterday, the police arrested 148 people consisting of 95 males and 53 females, aged between 13 and 63 years old,” superintendent John Tse said.

Lam warned the region was nearing a “very dangerous situation,” as she said the protests challenge China’s sovereignty.

“I dare say they are trying to destroy Hong Kong,” said Lam.

Erosion of rights

The crisis has become the biggest threat to China’s control of the region since its handover from the British in 1997.

Under the terms of the deal with Britain, Hong Kong has rights that are different to those on mainland China, such as an independent judiciary and freedom of speech.

But many say those rights are being stymied. 

Protesters point towards the extradition to the mainland of dissident booksellers, the disqualification of prominent politicians and the jailing of pro-democracy leaders.