China blasts 'arrogance and hypocrisy' of US VP Pence speech

 VP Pence

Beijing, Oct 25, 2019 (AFP): Beijing slammed US Vice President Mike Pence for his "arrogance and hypocrisy" on Friday after he voiced support for Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors and accused the NBA of kowtowing to China.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing that the United States should "cease expressing irresponsible opinions".

US Vice-President Mike Pence said on Thursday in a wide-ranging speech that criticised Beijing, as well as Nike and the NBA for bowing to the “authoritarian regime”. Adding that the US government “stands with” pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a living example of what can happen “when China embraces liberty”, Pence said, amid continuing pro-democracy protests there against the city’s government and Beijing. “To the millions in Hong Kong who have been peacefully demonstrating to protect your rights these past months, we stand with you,” he said in a speech hosted by the Wilson Centre in Washington. He did not mention the increasingly violent nature of clashes between protesters and the police, but urged demonstrators “to stay on the path of non-violent protest”.

Pence also lashed Beijing over its trading behaviour, assertive military posture and treatment of religious minorities. China been a major basketball market  retaliated by ending sponsorships and cancelling broadcasts of two pre-season games held in the country.

Hua hit out at the US for losing “all trace of morality and trustworthiness” and urged the US to “cease actions that harm the relations and mutual trust between the two countries”. 

Retired NBA star Charles Barkley On Thursday night also criticized Vice President Mike Pence -- saying Pence "needs to shut the hell up" -- after the vice president earlier in the day slammed the NBA for cowardice and hypocrisy regarding the Hong Kong-China controversy.

Barkley added: “Daryl Morey, who I like, he can say whatever he wants to. But there are consequences. I don’t understand why these holier-than-thou politicians, if they’re so worried about China, why don’t they stop all transactions with China?

“President Trump has been talking about and arguing with tariffs for China for the last two years,” Barkley continued. “I think it’s unfair for them to do all their business in China and just because this thing happens try to make the NBA and our players look bad. All American companies do business in China. Period.”