By Coconuts Hong Kong December 4, 2014 / 15:31 HKT
Like us Follow us Follow
The United States has given its strongest backing yet to Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement, while insisting again it plays no part in them. Speaking before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel proffered various soundbites that are bound to ruffle feathers in Beijing.
Rejecting claims in the Chinese state-run media that the US is behind the protests, saying, “In fact, it is disingenuous to suggest this debate is driven by outsiders when it is so clearly about Hongkongers hopes for their own future,” he called for the Beijing government to give the territory a “meaningful choice”.
"The legitimacy of Hong Kong's chief executive will be greatly enhanced by universal suffrage. By an election that provides the people of Hong Kong a meaningful choice of candidates representative of voter's will.”
Russel looked in his crystal ball and explained that the protests are far from over, adding that “it would be a mistake to underestimate the people of Hong Kong”.
He urged the Obama administration to shove its size nines just a little further in… but maybe not in those exact words.
Obama did in fact say he encouragedHongkongers’ rights to peaceful protests at recently in Beijing, but lawmakers and civil rights activists have criticised him for being a bit of a wet blanket about it.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio also twisted this knife a little in yesterday's meeting, saying, “it is clear that our response to the democratic aspirations of people on the mainland or anywhere else when it comes to China are muted by real political, realpolitik considerations.”
Russel also voiced similar concerns to those of UK politicians (well, they are buddies after all), that the commitment of the One Country, Two Systems model is being eroded.
In a typically overdramatic American line, he confirmed that the United States takes “the side of justice, take[s] the side of freedom". Way to go, guys.
Photo: Laurel Chor/Coconuts Media
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2014/12/04/us-lawmakers-voice-strong-support-hong-kong-protests-urge-obama-do-more
