Hong Kong citizens are probably questioning whether they can count on America’s support after the U.S. State Department deleted a declaration of support.
“We stand with the people of Hong Kong & continue to support their human rights & fundamental freedoms,” wrote Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a post to his verified government Twitter account, yesterday, according to The South China Morning Post and Newsday. Both reported that the tweet was removed soon after and replaced with a less supportive message that did not pledge American support for the people of Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong newspaper’s article (behind a paywall) featured a screen capture of Blinken’s original tweet. The full tweet reportedly said: “Beijing should let the voices of all Hong Kongers be heard. The PRC’s disqualification of district councillors only weakens Hong Kong’s long-term political and social stability. We stand with the people of Hong Kong & continue to support their human rights & fundamental freedoms.”
A Twitter search this morning did not return that tweet. State Department spokesperson Ned Price posted a copy of Blinken’s tweet Thursday; his tweet was still available today.
Another message about Hong Kong does appear on the Secretary of State’s account. “The PRC’s disqualification of seven pro-democracy district councilors undermines the ability of people in Hong Kong to participate in their governance. Governments should serve the people they represent,” Blinken said. “Decreasing representation goes against the spirit of Hong Kong’s Basic Law.”
Why did Blinken remove his tweet only to have a department spokesman say the exact same thing? The disappearing tweet with words regretted after spoken read like Ozzie Osbourne lyrics: “Now you see it, now you don’t/Careful of words that get caught in your throat.”
A State Department spokesperson reportedly told Newsweek, “The team that manages the Secretary’s twitter account mistakenly sent the tweet intended to come from the spokesperson. We fixed that error and tweeted from both accounts, speaking out about Hong Kong authorities’ disqualification of pro-democracy district councilors.
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