Posted on 08/16/2018 10:04:23 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
A controversial Hong Kong politician wants the United States to sanction his city as part of its ongoing trade war with China in hopes of somehow achieving his dream of independence and democracy.
Andy Chan Ho-tin says China poses an increasing existential threat to local rights and freedoms since British colonial rule ended in 1997. He has become a local lightning rod, criticized by many for advocating independence but also seen as a symbol of free speech after Chinese and Hong Kong officials called for a public address of his this week to be canceled.
In that address, he called for the U.S. to review legislation that governs its relations with the territory, condemn Hong Kong government officials he claimed suppress human rights and potentially target mainland Chinese financial assets in Hong Kong.
"Think about how much more clout the U.S. would have on China if the current trade war extends to Hong Kong," he said Tuesday in the closely watched speech, adding that such a move could strike a real "economic blow" to Beijing.
"Many of the Chinese already store their actual capital here," Chan said.
David Roche, president and global strategist at research firm Independent Strategy, said any hope that Hong Kong will become a pawn in the broader U.S.-China conflict shows a lack of understanding about how such geopolitical conflicts play out.
"His idea that the U.S. is going to some way ride into the equation and take measures which in some way help Hong Kong independence, that is just not on — even from Trump," Roche said.
Richard Harris, chief executive at investment manager Port Shelter, echoed that the chances are low, but said it's not inconceivable Hong Kong could, rhetorically at least, end up in Trump's cross hairs the more protracted the conflict becomes.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
This guy has a creative approach. He’ll think differently after the Chinese “reeducate” him.
This guy is quickly becoming China’s enemy #1. Publicity and public stature are good protection, but the CCP never forgives and never forgets its enemies, particularly the Chinese ones
Any Chinese company who exports works through a Hong Kong bank, anyway - because the Chinese government is so paranoid about money transfers from outside ending up buying rifles for counter-revolutionaries, I guess.
He’s delusional.The Butchers of Beijing would send in the tanks in a heartbeat.
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