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China Warns Hong Kong Protesters Against "Playing With Fire"

posted by martyb on Tuesday August 06 2019, @09:57PM   Printer-friendly
from the Cool-It! dept.

takyon writes:

Beijing Warns Hong Kong Protesters: Don't 'Play With Fire'

Amid weeks of mass anti-government demonstrations in Hong Kong that have frequently turned violent, Beijing on Tuesday issued a stark warning to protesters: "those who play with fire will perish by it."

The remarks, at a news conference in Beijing, were made by Yang Guang, a spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council. He said China has "tremendous power" to put down the protests and warned that anyone who engages in "violence and crimes ... will be held accountable."

Asked if he could rule out the use of military force in Hong Kong, Yang told journalists: "We will not let any acts attacking the principle of 'one country, two systems' go unpunished." "I warn all those criminals: Don't misjudge the situation or take restraint as a sign of weakness," he said.

Yang's comments came a day after Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, vowed to restore order in the city after nine weeks of nearly uninterrupted demonstrations. Speaking on Monday, the embattled Lam said the Chinese territory was "on the verge of a very dangerous situation" — words repeated verbatim by Yang.

See also: Hong Kong Strike Sinks City Into Chaos, and Government Has Little Reply
Hong Kong's Stock Rout Enters 10th Day, Worst Streak Since 1984
Hong Kong Protests Broaden Despite Police Crackdown

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 4, Interesting) by Rupert Pupnick on Wednesday August 07 2019, @02:49PM (2 children)

    by Rupert Pupnick (7277) on Wednesday August 07 2019, @02:49PM (#877086) Journal

    Chinese leadership has the advantage of not having to worry about getting re-elected.

    This is also true in the context of the trade war that has now crossed over into RMB currency devaluation. This could cost Trump more than just a defeat in trade policy.

    Starting Score:    1  point
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 07 2019, @06:09PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 07 2019, @06:09PM (#877173)

    Chinese leadership has the advantage of not having to worry about getting re-elected.

    On the flip side, if mass rioters overthrow them, they could end up jailed or torn to shreds like other dictators have. If an elected leader gets voted out, they still have their mansion and freedom to come and go.

    Therefore, although the chance of losing power is less than in a democracy, the consequences to the loser are much greater. Thus, it balances out a bit.

    • (Score: 2) by Rupert Pupnick on Wednesday August 07 2019, @08:44PM

      by Rupert Pupnick (7277) on Wednesday August 07 2019, @08:44PM (#877217) Journal

      > If an elected leader gets voted out, they still have their mansion and freedom to come and go.

      Well, usually, unless they will be facing criminal charges.