Beijing is ramping up its propaganda efforts against Hong Kong protesters


Chinese officials and state media have begun to tighten their grip on the narrative surrounding Hong Kong's anti-government, pro-democracy protests.
Beijing has claimed protesters have committed "deranged acts," including throwing gasoline bombs. "Radical Hong Kong protesters have repeatedly used extremely dangerous tools to attack police officers," Yang Guang, a spokesman for the Chinese government's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office said in a news briefing on Monday, per Chinese state media. "The first signs of terrorism are starting to appear." He added that such purported violence must be punished "without lenience, without mercy." The Daily Beast, however, reports that Beijing's depiction of the events is a "disinformation campaign" which could be a sign that China is "preparing for harsher crackdowns."
While Beijing stopped short of explicitly labeling the protests as acts of terrorism, the hardening rhetoric appears to represent escalating tensions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hong Kong's opposition has a different story to tell. From their viewpoint, Hong Kong police have grown increasingly violent, culminating in acts such as shooting a protester in the face with an apparent bean bag round, injuring first aid responders, and allowing non-police to attack protesters "indiscriminately."
Beijing's depiction of the events will almost certainly have a greater reach on the mainland thanks to China's internet regulatory system known as the Great Firewall, The Daily Beast reports.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
What the Renters' Rights Bill means for landlords and tenants
The Explainer Reforms will give tenants more protection from eviction – but may result in rent increases
-
How potatoes became an 'unusual bellwether' in Russia's economy
Under The Radarp Spud shortages are pointing to a wider crisis in the nation's finances
-
7 food trails worth zipping along
The Week Recommends Take a bite out of the United States
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein
-
Fed chair Powell in Trump's firing line
Speed Read The president considers removing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell
-
Trump trashes supporters over Epstein files
speed read The president lashed out on social media following criticism of his administration's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
-
Judge nixes wiping medical debt from credit checks
Speed Read Medical debt can now be included in credit reports