Chinese media outlets and authorities slammed back at the US over its announced intention to scrap the privileged status of Hong Kong over a national security law scheduled for approval by Beijing. The piece of legislation, which sparked Washington's discontent, comes as a response to the riots in Hong Kong in 2019, many of which turned violent, and bans activities directed against state unity.
Back in 2019, the US was harshly condemning the police response to street riots. But in 2020, the Chinese Global Times couldn't help but notice that any American claims of police brutality in Hong Kong pale in comparison to the way the US handles its own protesters in Minnesota and other cities, hinting at Washington's hypocrisy on this matter.
"Hong Kong’s rioters and police should carefully watch how the 'democratic US' deals with the chaos in Minnesota", the newspaper wrote.
The Central Committee of the Communist Young League also recalled the US criticism from back in 2019, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called violent Hong Kong clashes "a beautiful sight to behold". The League's page on Chinese social media Weibo published a photo of US protesters looting local malls and shops accompanied by a caption citing the notorious phrase of the speaker. The post reportedly went viral on social media.
A Hong Kong government spokesman, in turn, used the occasion to condemn the US move to strip the island of economic preferences, accusing Washington of engaging in an attempt to "smear and demonise" Beijing's rightful actions aimed at maintaining order in its semi-autonomous island.