Hong Kong No 2 official says United States is ‘plagued’ with social problems belying its democracy claims
- US-style democracy is undermined by high levels of violent crime, drug abuse and racism, John Lee says
- Chief secretary joins Beijing condemnations of Western ‘hegemony’ after central government outlines strategy for developing Hong Kong democracy
A top Hong Kong official has fired a fresh salvo at the United States, describing the country as “plagued” with social problems that expose its leadership to be “anti-democracy”.
Echoing Beijing outrage against Western governments, Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu on Thursday said there was no “one-size-fits-all” standard for democracy and that every jurisdiction would follow its own path based on the actual circumstances.
Mainland Chinese officials began advancing that position weeks ago in the lead up to Washington’s “Summit for Democracy” earlier this month, accusing the US of trying to impose its version of democracy on the rest of the world.
Speaking at a forum organised by Beijing’s liaison office in the city, Lee said that democracy should not just be an “adornment”, repeating a phrase used by mainland officials, before he turned his ire on the US.
“America claims it has democracy. Yet it is plagued by all kinds of problems, including security, violent crimes, drug abuse, racism, social polarisation and a huge wealth disparity,” said Lee, who was subject to US financial sanctions before becoming chief secretary.
