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Hong Kong protests show limit of ‘one country, two systems’, Malaysia’s Mahathir says
- The prime minister said Beijing might use force to end the current impasse if it persists
- The city’s leader announced two days ago that she was scrapping a bill that triggered the demonstrations
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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday that continuing protests in Hong Kong show the limitations of the city’s “one country, two systems” framework, and expressed concern that China might not tolerate a further escalation.
Mahathir, making a visit to Japan, said that Beijing might use force to end the current impasse if it persists or worsens.
“I never thought that a country with two different systems can really work for any length of the time, and sure enough this has happened,” the premier said during an interview with NHK public television.
“If they cannot handle this and this does not stop and the demands become more and more for autonomy or independence, then I think the Chinese will not tolerate that.”
Massive protests since June have disrupted transport links in Hong Kong and its international airport.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced two days ago that she was scrapping an extradition bill that triggered the demonstrations.
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