The imposition of US tariffs on Hong Kong is “arrogant” and “shameless”, Beijing’s top official overseeing city affairs has said, calling the United States a “sinister manipulator” that cannot tolerate the stability of the financial hub.
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also warned that “betraying national interests” during critical moments would be denounced. He urged city entrepreneurs to take concrete actions to contribute to Hong Kong and mainland China.
At the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day on Tuesday, Xia issued a pre-recorded, strongly worded condemnation of the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on imports from Hong Kong and the mainland, which now stand at 145 per cent.
“Despite Hong Kong being the largest source of the US trade surplus, the United States still imposed high tariffs on it. This is extremely arrogant and shameless!” Xia said.
“This makes it clearer to the world that the US cannot tolerate Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and it is the biggest sinister manipulator undermining human rights, freedom, the rule of law, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.
“The US isn’t after our tariffs, it is after our very survival.”