CHINAMacroReporter

'On Double Standards'

1. China Reacts

‘Besides, facts are there, beyond anyone's denial, regardless of whether they came up in the Chinese media reports or not.’
by

Hua Chunying | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC

|

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC

January 9, 2021
'On Double Standards'

‘Besides, facts are there, beyond anyone's denial, regardless of whether they came up in the Chinese media reports or not.’

Regular Press Conference, January 7, 2021

Beijing Youth Daily: ‘Some American media reported that China is taking advantage of the chaos in the United States to expand China's influence, and the United States is even more unable to stop China's development. What is your comment on this?’

Hua Chunying:‘What's happened at the Capitol  has been extensively covered by the US media.’

  • ‘We've seen TV programs playing out violent scenes 24/7.’
  • ‘We've heard world leaders commenting on it.’
  • ‘People from all walks of life in the United States are talking about it.’
  • ‘Then why, when the Chinese media are following this widely-reported event, it suddenly became propaganda?’

'When I responded to a foreign journalist's question yesterday, I invited all of you to seriously think about why some people reacted differently to similar scenes played out in the United States and Hong Kong and why they termed them differently. Why are factual reports by the Chinese media being labeled propaganda or even disinformation?’

  • 'Is it simply because some people in the United States find them unpalatable?’
  • 'I don't think this complies with the truthfulness principle of journalism.’
  • Besides, facts are there, beyond anyone's denial, regardless of whether they came up in the Chinese media reports or not.’
  • 'However, this does uncover the ubiquitous existence of double standard when it comes to Chinese media and reflect the sense of superiority and ideological prejudice long harbored by some individuals.’
  • 'For some people in the west, they pride themselves on their democracy and freedom, even though deep down they have their grievances and dissatisfaction; they criticize China as being authoritarian and totalitarian, even though deep down they may hope they could lead a life as the Chinese do.’

'For those issues that have come up in the United States or in other western countries, they in the west can argue, debate and comment in ways whatever they want.’

  • ‘But if the Chinese side pitches in, then it suddenly morphs into "propaganda" or "disinformation".’

AFP: ‘The media has noted some similarities and some differences between what happened in Hong Kong and in the United States.'

  • 'I think one issue that news reports pointed out was also the intent behind the unrest.'
  • 'In the U.S. case they were trying to overturn the results of an election, while in Hong Kong they were demanding for more democracy.'
  • 'I'm just wondering if you could clarify your take on this?’

Hua Chunying: ‘The two are very similar in terms of subjecting legislature to violence.’

  • ‘On July 2019, radical protesters stormed the legislature, trashed the place, defaced the Hong Kong emblem, fan up anti-police sentiment, and hurled toxic liquid and powder at and even stabbed police force.’
  • ‘But the Hong Kong Police Force responded with maximum restraint.’

‘Similar scenes played out in the United State but were reported by some press in different words.’

  • ‘Protesters were "thugs" and "domestic terrorists" when they stormed the Capitol Hill, but were "democratic fighters" and even "heroes" when they stormed the Hong Kong Legco.’
  • ‘It would be difficult if not impossible to find a better definition for double standard.’

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