Donald Trump expresses confidence that despite massive protests over extradition bill, Hong Kong and Beijing can ‘work it out’
- But asked whether the demonstrators were sending a message to the Chinese government, the US president said: ‘I don’t know what they’re sending’
- US lawmakers from across the political spectrum expressed solidarity and support for Hongkongers who are marching to protect their rights
US President Donald Trump is sure Beijing and Hong Kong will “be able to work it out”, he said on Wednesday, after escalating protests against the city’s divisive extradition bill plunged the global financial hub into chaos.
“They’re massive demonstrations. I looked today and that really is a million people,” Trump said, referring to the city’s enormous march on Sunday opposing amendments to the bill, which would allow the city to surrender residents and visitors to mainland China to face trial.
The protest on Sunday, which organisers said drew more than a million people, was one of the largest in the city’s history, underscoring rising fear over the erosion of the autonomy and freedoms promised to Hong Kong during its handover to China from Britain in 1997.
When asked whether the demonstrators were sending a message to Beijing, Trump said: “I don’t know what they’re sending, I mean that’s a demonstration that they’re having.”
He said he understood “the reason for the demonstration”, however, adding: “I’m sure they’ll be able to work it out. I hope they’re going to be able to work it out with China.”
Trump’s comments – made at a White House meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda – came after Hong Kong was rocked by protests against the proposed legislation, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators blocking roads outside government headquarters, injuring more than 70 people.