China attacks ‘hypocritical’ and ‘despicable’ Pelosi after she supports Hong Kong protesters

Samuel Osborne
EPA
EPA

China has denounced leading US Democrat Nancy Pelosi, as “hypocritical”, “malicious” and “despicable” after she tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protesters.

“My full support and admiration goes to those who have taken to the streets week after week in non-violent protest to fight for democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong,” Ms Pelosi tweeted on Wednesday.

The Speaker of the House of Represntatives shared a photo of her standing with Hong Kong pro-democracy figures Jimmy Lai, Martin Lee and Janet Pang.

Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, ​said: “Politicians like Ms Pelosi are distorting facts and confusing right and wrong by whitewashing violent criminal offences in Hong Kong as non-violent struggle and bolstering violent protesters who want to disrupt Hong Kong and China.

“Their hypocrisy and maliciousness are simply despicable and infuriating.”

Ms Hua added: “The violent radicals in Hong Kong have been emboldened by the assurances of the likes of Ms Pelosi through such stark conniving, aiding and abetting.”

She continued: “I would like to remind Ms Pelosi and her like that no matter how blinded you are by prejudice, no matter how your heart is filled with evil, do know this: Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong; attempts to interfere in Hong Kong affairs or separate Hong Kong will never succeed.

“Such tricks might have worked elsewhere, but they will not work on Chinese soil, including in Hong Kong. At the end of the day, all they will get is a bitter result as they wake up from a pipe dream.”

It comes as Hong Kong prepares for what is expected to be a relatively quiet weekend of protests.

However, there is no sign anti-government activists are backing down on their calls for greater democracy after five months of demonstrations.

Hong Kong was returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that allowed it to retain extensive freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest.

However, many in Hong Kong are angry at what they see as a relentless march towards mainland control.