In the midst of a bitter trade war with China, the US is also accusing the People’s Republic of deliberately endangering a US diplomat in Hong Kong. The reports of Chinese state media on the diplomat are now „no longer irresponsible, but dangerous,“ wrote US Foreign Office spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus yesterday (local time) on Twitter.
Official Chinese media reports on our diplomat in Hong Kong have gone from being irresponsible to dangerous. This must stop. Chinese authorities know full well, our accredited consular personnel are just doing their jobs, just like diplomats from every other country.
– Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) August 9, 2019
The latest clinch between Washington and Beijing was triggered by a US diplomat’s meeting with anti-government activists in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. China had formally protested Thursday’s meeting, which Hong Kong media reported. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the US to clarify the purpose of the meeting and „stop immediately interfering with Hong Kong affairs.“
The US accused the Chinese government of the worst practices because it allegedly passed on a photo of the diplomat and personal information and names of family members to the media. The Beijing government denied being behind the release and accused the US of thinking like criminals.
Ortagus now pointed out via Twitter that according to the Vienna Convention, China was obliged to „treat our diplomats and consular officers with due respect“ and to do everything possible to prevent attacks on their person, freedom or dignity.
Protests in Hong Kong
In the former British crown colony of Hong Kong, there are two months repeatedly protests and riots. The trigger for the demonstrations was a – now frozen on ice – bill for the delivery of suspected criminals to China. Meanwhile, the demonstrations have evolved into a broader anti-government movement and intimidating police violence. Many people also fear Beijing’s increasing influence on life in the financial metropolis and demand democratic reforms. New protests are planned in the city on the weekend
