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Outside In | As Hong Kong steps deeper into a political mess, let us pray that the PLA doesn’t descend upon us
- In a bad news week, British PM Boris Johnson is set to blunder his way into a no-deal Brexit and Hong Kong is thrown deeper into strife. As the Carrie Lam administration blinks in the headlights, Beijing might have to step in
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I had the good fortune to work the past week in Hangzhou, which Chinese officials like to call paradise on Earth. As the rest of the world as I know it tumbles into chaos and craziness, sunset cruises over the West Lake and sumptuous banquets provided a welcome tranquilliser.
At the same time, blocked access to BBC, the South China Morning Post, the Financial Times, Google and WhatsApp allowed ignorance and innocence of the great unravelling that is making the world a strange and disturbing place.
But the reprieve was short-lived. I have returned to a Hong Kong suffering strife and violence not witnessed in 40 years, with a catatonic government leaving police to wrestle unguided.
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I return to the improbable Boris Johnson bent on blundering with cavalier unconcern towards a no-deal Brexit.
I return to Robert Mueller monosyllabically reminding us of the deeply troubled state of US politics, to the International Monetary Fund warning us the world economy may be headed for recession, and to news of record summer heat across Europe that reminds us how immediate the global warming crisis has become.
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In short, a bad news week, with little prospect of next week’s news getting any better.
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