US Congress plays old trick of double standards on Hong Kong

The passage of the so-called Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 in the US Congress provides yet another example of how the United States plays with double standards to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries.

For some US politicians, there seems to be a simple rule: apply one set of standards for the United States, its allies and places where it has core interests, and apply another set of standards for elsewhere.

The United States has a poor human rights record but keeps pointing its finger at Hong Kong, which is ranked higher in terms of both rule of law and freedom.

Over the past few months in Hong Kong, people who come from the mainland, speak Mandarin Chinese or hold a different view from rioters have been humiliated and assaulted on the streets, campuses and at the airport.

US politicians who claim to uphold human rights and democracy have turned a blind eye to these inconvenient truths.

Confronting extremely violent rioters on the frontline for more than five months, Hong Kong police have demonstrated restraint and professionalism that many of their Western counterparts would struggle to match.

Again some US politicians have ignored the fact and criticized Hong Kong police for excessive use of force.

These US politicians have also ignored the anxiety of Hong Kong residents who were unable to commute by public transport sabotaged by the rioters, the anger and helplessness of people whose livelihoods were affected, and the grief of families whose loved ones were injured or killed in street violence caused by the rioters.

Claiming to "stand with Hong Kong," these US politicians have in fact chosen to "stand with rioters."

This is an old trick long played by the United States to deal with people with different opinions. "Human rights" and "democracy" are mere ladders for them to mount the high ground of public discourse.

Behind the facade of pursuing human rights and democracy for Hong Kong people, they are actually trying to contain China.

However, they picked the wrong fight. Hong Kong is part of China. The Chinese government is determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, to implement the "one country, two systems" principle and to stand against any foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs.

The US politicians' attempt to use the act to undermine Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade center will harm the interests of all countries -- including the United States -- in Hong Kong, and will surely face united opposition from the international community.

With the support of the central government and all Chinese people, there is no doubt that Hong Kong will end the violence and restore order. Playing "the Hong Kong card" will not succeed.