Hong Kong student who slammed Stormont leaders over their reported support for China is jailed for taking part in rally
In August Joshua Wong, 24, responded angrily to a claim by the Chinese consulate in Belfast that Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill had told the consul that Stormont “understands and respects” the Hong Kong crackdown.
Wong told his 650,000 Twitter followers it would be “unbelievably scandalous if it is really the case that the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland have said they ‘understand and respect’ Beijing’s human rights abuses under its sweeping national security law”.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill denied they had given such support and China retracted the claim. Mrs Foster said her position on Hong Kong is the same as that of the UK.
Writing in today’s News Letter, John Cushnahan, former Alliance Party leader, condemns this month’s jailing of Wong for his part in a rally demanding that the Hong Kong government withdraw an extradition to China bill.
Mr Cushnahan, who was an MEP and European Parliament Rapporteur on Hong Kong, details other jailings and says international condemnation of China is a “totally insufficient” response.
• Morning View: Hong Kong student’s jailing is warning against NI-China cosiness
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad• John Cushnahan: China is ruthlessly tightening grip on Hong Kong
——— ———
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOur journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Alistair Bushe
Editor