A New York Times commentary published on Thursday supports China’s repression in Hong Kong, which has provoked a backlash on social media.
The entitled op-ed “Hong Kong is China, like it or not,” he argues, adding that pro-democracy demonstrations and pro-democracy “have caused great harm to the city” and “provoke confusion and discontent in our homeland.”
Regina author of the Times of Ed describes him as “a member of the Hong Kong Legislature and Board of Directors”, but In the 2003 article, He is branded as an “activist of Beijing”. His relations with China are not mentioned in the Op-Eight.
“The West tends to glorify these people as defenders of Hong Kong’s freedoms, but they have done great harm to the city by going against the city’s constitutional order and inciting chaos and discontent in our homeland,” he wrote of Democrats.
The IP praised China for passing an internationally criticized national security law in response to the protests that rocked Hong Kong over the past year. The law, passed in June, prohibits Hong Kong from treating its officials as subordinates, separatists and allies with foreign powers.
“Something had to be done, the Chinese authorities did it,” he wrote, and then “one person’s ‘tough’ is someone else’s intention.”
“Any attempt to change Hong Kong’s formal political position … is a fundamental challenge to China’s sovereignty,” Op-Ed said.
“Like it or not, Hong Kong is part of China. Given the vast imbalance between the two and the growing economic dependence on Hong Kong ‘s landscape, the city’s progressive integration with China is inevitable, ”the IP wrote.
Sen called the publication of the article “shameful”. Many took to Twitter to criticize the Op-Ed look, including Rick Scott (R-Fla.).
“It simply came to our notice then. The Times publishes a campaign from Communist China seeking to cover up the CCP’s human rights abuses, ”he posted. “The people of Hong Kong are fighting for the basic human rights promised to them.”
This is a shame. Again, the Times The CCP is releasing a campaign from Communist China trying to cover up human rights abuses.
The people of Hong Kong are fighting for the basic human rights promised to them. https://t.co/jdH2g2Ywf2
– Rick Scott (enSenRickScott) October 1, 2020
Other journalists, including Yasser Ali and Katherine Watson, have denied the allegations.
How did this end up in the new working hours?
Who signed this? https://t.co/yiC73JxJzu
– Yashar Ali (Ashar) October 1, 2020
What the hell is this horrible comment piece ?!
Feedback | Hong Kong is China, like it or not – The New York Times https://t.co/E3acgBQIwU
– Katherine Watson (kathrynw5) October 1, 2020
The Times did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Op-Ed release comes just months after the release of a version by Times Sen. Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonGOP senators believe Trump will be elected by Sunday, November Preview: Legislators prepare for Scotus confirmation inquiries ahead of election The Hill 12:30 Report: Trump raises fears about November election results More (R-Arch.) This caused a major backlash among reporters at the Times.
Cotton’s June Op-Ed called on the military to respond to the sometimes violent protests against police brutality under the heading “Send troops.” Multiple Times reporters said it was endangering the lives of Black journalists.
The newspaper eventually included an author’s note with a piece of cotton that said it was “below our standards and should not be published”, and the editorial side resigned over the editor-in-chief.
A number of critics released in Hong Kong on Thursday brought backlash on Cotton’s Op-Ed, including The Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro.
“If so, are any of the Awake employees who care so much about human rights going to demand the resignation of the Op-Ed editor who is now printing an open Chinese campaign to promote Hong Kong’s total tyrannical takeover?” He asked in a tweet.
So, are any of the vigilante staff, who are so concerned about human rights, going to demand the resignation of the Op-Ed editor who is now printing the open Chinese campaign and encouraging the complete tyrannical takeover of Hong Kong? https://t.co/P6AS19BojM
– Ben Shapiro (ens Ben Shapiro) October 1, 2020
The NYT’s rule against the release of op-eds by government officials advocating for violent attacks on protesters seems short-lived. https://t.co/Y9IW8mKeHZ
A pretty shocking (and embarrassing New York Times) summary. https://t.co/5kERIEa4fI
– Jerry Dunlevy (er Jerry Dunlevy) October 1, 2020
“Infuriatingly humble social media ninja. Devoted travel junkie. Student. Avid internet lover.”