An opinion piece in the New York Times on Thursday supporting China’s crackdown in Hong Kong sparked a backlash on social media.
The Editorial entitled “Hong Kong is China, like it or not” argues that the pro-democracy protests and propagandists “have done great damage to the city” including “stirring up chaos and resentment toward our motherland.”
The Times describes inaugural author Regina Ibb as “a legislator and member of the Executive Board of Hong Kong,” but In a 2003 article, Was described as “executing Beijing.” Its relations with China were not mentioned in the opinion article.
She wrote about democracy activists: “The West tends to glorify these people as defenders of Hong Kong’s freedoms, but they have done great damage to the city by violating its constitutional order and creating chaos and resentment toward our motherland.”
Ip praised China for passing the National Security Act which has come under international criticism in response to the protests that have rocked Hong Kong over the past year. The law passed in June bans what its officials consider sabotage, separatism and collusion with foreign forces in Hong Kong.
“Something had to be done, and the Chinese authorities did,” she wrote, adding later that “the influence of someone” severe “is the intended effect of another person.”
The opinion article also states, “Any attempt to change Hong Kong’s official political status … is a fundamental challenge to China’s sovereignty.”
“Like it or not, Hong Kong is part of China. Given the vast disparity between the two countries in size and Hong Kong’s increasing economic dependence on the mainland, the city’s gradual integration with China is inevitable,” wrote Ip.
Several people have taken to Twitter to criticize the article’s appearance, including Senator Rick Scott (R), who described posting the article as “shameful”.
“This is a shame. Once again, nytimes spread propaganda from Communist China trying to cover up the human rights violations committed by the Chinese Communist Party.” “The people of Hong Kong are fighting for the basic human rights they have been promised.”
this is shame. Once again, the Embed a Tweet Spreading propaganda from Communist China trying to cover up the human rights violations committed by the Chinese Communist Party.
Hong Kong residents are fighting for the basic human rights they have been promised. https://t.co/jdH2g2Ywf2
Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 1, 2020
Other journalists, including Jasra Ali and Kathryn Watson, also denounced this article.
How did this end up in the New York Times?
Who signed this? https://t.co/yiC73JxJzu
– Yashar Ali (@yashar) October 1, 2020
What the heck is this awful opinion piece ?!
View | Hong Kong is China, like it or not – The New York Times https://t.co/E3acgBQIwU
– Kathryn Watson (@ kathrynw5) October 1, 2020
The newspaper did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The opening leaflet comes months after The Times published an article by the senator. Tom Cotton
Senators Tom Bryant Cottongob is confident Trump’s choice will be confirmed by November. Sunday preview shows: Lawmakers prepare for SCOTUS confirmation hearings before elections The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump raises concerns about November election outcome More (R-Ark.) That has received a major backlash, including among reporters in The Times.
Cotton’s June editorial, “Send in,” called on the military to respond to the sometimes violent protests against police brutality. Reporters have said several times that this endangered the lives of black journalists.
The newspaper finally included a note to the editor with a Cotton article saying it “does not live up to our standards and should not be published,” and the editorial page editor resigned due to the editorial.
Several critics of Thursday’s opinion piece about Hong Kong sparked violent reactions to the Cotton article, including the Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro.
“So, which of these awake employees who care so much about human rights will demand the resignation of the editor-in-chief who is now printing open Chinese propaganda cheering for the total authoritarian takeover of Hong Kong?” He asked in a tweet.
So, which of these awake employees who care so much about human rights will demand the resignation of the editor-in-chief who is now printing open Chinese propaganda cheering for the total authoritarian takeover of Hong Kong? https://t.co/P6AS19BojM
– Ben Shapiro (benshapiro) October 1, 2020
The New York Times’ law against publishing opinion articles in which government officials argue for a violent crackdown on protesters appears short-lived. https://t.co/Y9IW8mKeHZ
– Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) October 1, 2020
Amazing juxtaposition (and embarrassing for the New York Times). https://t.co/5kERIEa4fI
JerryDunleavy (JerryDunleavy) October 1, 2020
“Infuriatingly humble social media ninja. Devoted travel junkie. Student. Avid internet lover.”
