Hong Kong Protests Continue To Grow. China Blames Black Hand" of CIA

Mike Norris Co-Editor The American Dossier On July 1 1997 Hong Kong a British colony was returned to China under the framework of one country two systems. Hong Kongs Basic Law guaranteed that for the next 50 years the institutions that make Hong Kong distinct from mainland China would stay intact. Despite that promise Hong Kongs autonomy has been tested again and again. This week the island faces the biggest test to its self-rule since Hong Kong became a Chinese territory again. Satellite images show Chinese troops gathered near the border with Hong Kong raising fears that Beijing may be preparing to act against mass demonstrations on the island. Hundreds of members of the Peoples Armed Police could be seen at a Shenzhen sports stadium where parking lots were filled with military vehicles. Demonstrations began in the spring in response to Chief Executive Carrie Lams push for a policy that would have allowed China to extradite suspected criminals to the mainland. The proposal led to fears that Beijing is trying to gain more control over the lives of Hong Kong residents sparking immediate opposition. The protesters have five demands including the complete withdrawal of the now-suspended extradition bill. The protesters also want authorities to stop referring to their actions as rioting" charges against detainees dropped a resumption of political reforms and an independent inquiry into police actions during the unrest. Since the protests began Lams administration has done little to soothe concerns about the erosion of freedoms guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Over the summer the demonstrations intensified. Seventeen people were arrested on Wednesday bringing the total number detained since June to 748. At a news conference police officials stated that police stations have been surrounded and attacked 76 times during the crisis. This week protestors clashed with police at the Hong Kong airport one of the busiest airports in the world. The demonstrations grew so large that officials cancelled approximately 1000 flights on Monday and Tuesday. The Civil Human Rights Front which organized million-strong marches in June set another protest for Sunday. On Wednesday the State Department issued a travel advisory due to the unrest instructing travelers to exercise increased caution when visiting Hong Kong. The department said it was deeply concerned over reports that Chinese police forces were gathering near the border with Hong Kong. The department also urged Beijing to abide by its commitments under the administrative structure that governs Hong Kong. We encourage China and all parties in Hong Kong to pursue a solution that respects the liberty of Hongkongers and Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy as enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration" a spokesperson said. China has frequently warned against what it regards as outside interference in an internal issue. Chinese propaganda blamed the U.S. for the protests suggesting that the black hand" of the CIA was involved. Earlier this week Chinas foreign minister accused the U.S. of encouraging anti-China rabble-rousers. Many are blaming me and the United States for the problems going on in Hong Kong. I cant imagine why?" President Trump tweeted. Our Intelligence has informed us that the Chinese Government is moving troops to the Border with Hong Kong" he added minutes later. Everyone should be calm and safe!" President Trump tied the success of the U.S.-China trade deal to Beijing resolving the unrest humanely" and suggested he was willing to meet with Xi to discuss the crisis. I have ZERO doubt that if President Xi (Jinping) wants to quickly and humanely solve the Hong Kong problem he can do it. Personal meeting?" Trump tweeted. After serving as an Airborne Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division Mike attended Florida State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Political Science and George Washington University where he received his Masters in Political Management. Since 2004 Mike has worked in the Florida Senate where he was one of only two Chiefs of Staff under 30 and in the Michigan Senate where he served as the Legislative Aide to the Assistant Minority Floor Leader. The 2018 election cycle was Mikes eighth as a Political Consultant. Mike previously served as the Secretary and Vice President of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans Regional Vice Chair for the Florida Federated Young Republicans and attended the 2012 Republican National Convention as an Alternate Delegate. He currently lives in Grosse Pointe Woods Michigan with his rescue Pit Bull Ike. http://www.whitefalconconsult.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/norrismichaelj/