CE Blasts 'double Standards' Of Govts Over Protests

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday hit back at foreign countries threatening action over Beijing's controversial move to impose a national security law in Hong Kong, saying they have "double standards” when responding to protests here and in their own backyards.

"They are very concerned about their own national security, but on our national security...they look through tinted glasses," Lam told the media ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting.

"In the US, we see how the riots were being handled by the local governments, compared to the stance they adopted when almost the same riots happened in Hong Kong last year."

Protests and riots have broken out all across the US after an unarmed black man died after a brutal arrest by a police officer. President Donald Trump is now threatening to send in the army against the protesters as destruction of property and looting has also been reported in some places.

Referring to Trump’s announcement that he will end Hong Kong’s special trade status, Lam said she hopes Washington will treat the SAR with mutual respect.

Any sanctions or the removing of Hong Kong's special status would only hurt the foreign countries themselves and wouldn't benefit anyone, she warned.

The CE pointed out that 1,300 US businesses are based in Hong Kong and said American citizens are accorded special treatment by the SAR.

She said Hong Kong unilaterally grants visa free access to US citizens, but Hongkongers don't enjoy this in return.

She added that US businesses in Hong Kong receive the same preferential treatment for access to the mainland market as local firms.

Lam said US businesses account for one fifth of stock market transactions in Hong Kong and the SAR hopes for mutual respect when it comes to bilateral relations with the US government and others.