London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Chinese diplomats need to get smarter, not angrier, over Hong Kong

Chinese diplomats need to get smarter, not angrier, over Hong Kong

They should explain how the United States, Canada and Britain are playing politics with the city by fast-tracking people applying as refugees when there are millions around the world who face genuine life-threatening situations and need shelter.

I am often amazed by the ham-fisted way Chinese diplomats have gone about denouncing other countries with the formulaic “interfering with China’s internal affairs”. By playing into the hands of countries pursuing antagonistic policies against Beijing, it’s counterproductive.

It makes much more sense to patiently explain China’s policy – why it is reasonable, especially when compared to similar policies of those countries.

A Hong Kong couple heavily involved in last year’s anti-government protests have reportedly been granted refugee status in Canada on the basis that they feared persecution if they stayed in the city.

First of all, I have no trouble with Canada, or any country, accepting Hongkongers as immigrants, refugees or whatever status they acquire. Hong Kong is a free city and people ought to be able to come and go as they see fit, for whatever reason. The pair have not been charged with any crime. If they are paranoid and prefer to live elsewhere, it’s their prerogative.

Predictably, China’s ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu has denounced the couple’s acceptance in the country. Chinese diplomats should explain that the couple are perfectly safe provided they have not committed any crime in Hong Kong.

They should explain that the national security law in the city is little different from similar security laws in the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada, and that it’s just double standards for the English-speaking countries to denounce laws that they themselves have long established.

In fact, US security and anti-terrorism laws are even more draconian and extensive in their extraterritorial applications. Such laws have been used to go after whistle-blowers such as Edward Snowden and Julian Assange to silence critics.

Australia has gone after its own journalists for publishing supposedly classified information and raided established mainstream news offices.

European countries such as Germany have a far more rational approach to the Hong Kong issue, which is that anyone from any place can apply for refugee status through well-established legal channels with proper criteria.

But it’s just good politics for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It will silence his Conservative Party opposition, placate Big Brother America and please his party’s anti-China constituents within the Hong Kong immigrant community.

The US, Canada and Britain have all decided to play politics with Hong Kong and will fast track its people applying as refugees when there are millions around the world who face genuine life-threatening situations and desperately need shelter.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×