Regime-Change Merchants: South China Morning Post

Candidates who support democratic rights for Hong Kong swept district elections in November, and protesters continue to remind the government about their expectations. More than 800,000 marched on December 8. China wants to bring Hong Kong under its control and blames foreign interference, with diplomats expressing frustration. The Chinese vice foreign minister spoke at a human rights forum: “Some countries are making colour revolutions all over the place to force regime change under the banner of human rights…. This has led to conflicts and instability, and one humanitarian crisis after another.” The US has approved a law supporting the rights of Hong Kong protesters, threatening sanctions, and works on separate legislation condemning mass detentions of Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. China and the United States are battling over trade rules, and China suggests that decoupling could harm the global economy. China insists each nation can develop its own human rights standards, explains Teddy Ng for the South China Morning Post. “There is no universal human rights path and model in the world,” said one communist party official. “The development of the cause of human rights must and can only be promoted in accordance with the national conditions of each country and the needs of the people.”– YaleGlobal