US calls China a "thuggish regime" amid Hong Kong protests

[Stevicus]

China and US feud amid fresh Hong Kong protests

On Thursday, China asked the US to explain reports its diplomats were in contact with Hong Kong protest leaders.

Ta Kung Pao newspaper - a pro-Beijing publication - had published a photo of US diplomat Julie Eadeh meeting student leaders at a hotel, under the headline "Foreign Forces Intervene".

China has repeatedly accused the US of meddling in Hong Kong's recent political crisis.

The US rejected the accusation, saying its diplomats meet wide a range of people - including from the government and from businesses - and criticised the report.

"I don't think that is a formal protest, that is what a thuggish regime would do," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told reporters, adding it was "not how a responsible nation would behave".

China in turn has dismissed "gangster logic" from the US, and said the country should stop interfering in its affairs.

"Thuggish regime"? "Gangster logic"?

I'll admit it's rather colorful rhetoric - more than one might expect from two kids arguing on a playground. But it still seems close to that.

 

[columbus]

Who is "the US"?
It wasn't me. Did Trump refer to the Chinese government as thuggish?
Tom

 

[Stevicus]

Who is "the US"?
It wasn't me. Did Trump refer to the Chinese government as thuggish?
Tom

The actual quote was attributed to a spokeswoman for the State Department.

 

[Shiranui117]

With how they're persecuting the Uighurs and the Catholics there, sounds about accurate.