The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Committee for Safeguarding National Security hosted the opening ceremony of "National Security Education Day" on April 15, featuring a keynote speech by Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Central Committee, delivered via video link.
Xia's remarks, which sharply criticized U.S. trade policies toward Hong Kong, drew widespread international media coverage and underscored escalating tensions between China and the U.S. Xia accused the U.S. of attempting to strangle Hong Kong's prosperity through punitive tariffs, stating, "The U.S. isn't after our tariffs - it is after our very survival." He condemned Washington as the primary force undermining Hong Kong's rule of law, freedoms, and human rights, adding that American suppression would only accelerate the demise of its proxies in Hong Kong.
Global media outlets extensively quoted Xia's speech, with Bloomberg highlighting his fiery rebuke of U.S. President Donald Trump and characterizing U.S. tariffs as acts of hegemony. The BBC noted Xia's description of U.S. policies as "shameless," emphasizing his warning that "those who betray national interests will pay a price." France's RFI focused on Xia's labeling of the U.S. as an adversary. Otherwise, NHK noted his criticism of business, implying a review to sell the port near the Panama Canal.
Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao cited Hong Kong Polytechnic University lecturer Chan Wai-keung, who argued that U.S.-China trade frictions have disproportionately impacted Hong Kong's import-export sectors, calling Xia's warnings "far from exaggerated." Chan warned that prolonged U.S.-China tariff disputes could harm American businesses in Hong Kong, urging Washington to consider the costs. He also suggested that Beijing's tightening grip on national security would leave no room for opposition groups with foreign ties to survive, signaling a crackdown on dissent.
The sale of CK Hutchison's port assets sparked debate, with Taiwan's China Times alleging that tycoon Li Ka-shing's move "disrupted China's Belt and Road strategy." Analysts noted that the era of businesses "playing both sides" in U.S.-China tensions has ended, forcing companies to align unequivocally with geopolitical priorities. Xia's reference to "American peasants" was widely interpreted as a retort to U.S. Vice President Vance, who recently used the derogatory term "Chinese peasants." Reuters reported that Xia's remarks underscored Beijing's growing defiance in the face of Western criticism.
The U.S. has imposed tariffs of up to 25% on Chinese goods since March, citing national security concerns, while expanding sanctions to include Hong Kong officials. China has retaliated with its tariffs and vowed to defend its sovereignty against what it calls U.S. economic coercion. As Xia's speech reverberates internationally, observers warn that Hong Kong, long a bridge between China and the West, is becoming a frontline in the U.S.-China showdown, with its economic and political autonomy increasingly at risk.
Related News:
Donald Trump: I'm waiting for a call from China
US tariff policies could cost semiconductor equipment makers over US$1 bn: Reuters
Comment