I love Hong Kong and am all for these protests. I’d prefer it be independent or still under British rule rather than go v back to the PRC.
To answer your question though, I would guess the west is quiet for the same reasons it’s quiet on Tibet and Taiwan…they don’t want to upset China. Especially now as Trump continuously threatens, propses and enacts his horribly dumb tariffs.
When “The West” gets involved it gets criticized for sticking their nose where it does not belong.
When “The West” does not get involved it gets criticized for not caring.
Given that the end results is the same (being criticized for what you do) it is simply more economical not to get involved in political situations where there is no natural resource (e.g. Oil) that you can then benefit from.
Generally speaking they care about things that directly impact them and this is not one of them.
Specifically, two of the most powerful also have their own shit going on that sucks up a lot of the air for things like this. The US has Trump who is a nonstop story generator who is now looking more and more likely for impeachment and the UK has their whole Brexit fiasco still to deal with.
Most Western countries aren’t overly friendly with China but they represent an immense power both militarily and financially and they’ve proven recently that they’re more than willing to throw their economic weight around if they feel slighted so world leaders are hesitant to “take a stand” against China.
Imagine if the UK commented and took a side in the Ferguson riots, the US took a side in the Anti-Brexit protests in London, Russia came out against the confirmation of Kavanagh to the Supreme Court, or Canada commented on the Yellow Vest protests. Although this is a major protest, it’s a protest against the government making a law that may deteriorate peoples’ rights. From a liberal democratic perspective, it might seem bad, but there are countless countries around the world where governments are doing far worse. Regardless of who is right and wrong, it’s never a good idea for foreign powers to take a side on the internal affairs of another country. These are sovereign nations and countries try to avoid meddling in each others’ affairs because they don’t want other countries meddling in theirs, unless there is a *blatant* human rights issue going on. Even wrt to China, this protest is small beans compared to Xinjiang and Tibet. If a western power is going to confront China on one issue, why would a protest in Hong Kong be at the top of the list?
Not to say that western powers *won’t* comment on issues like these, but you have to consider the geopolitical implications. For example, NATO countries would have reason to comment on the affairs of other NATO countries if it involves the military, for example.
The west don’t care. This isn’t exactly a national priority. It offers nothing to the UK Or US. Or any other country. The UN is fucked, and so is NATO. If it does not impact a politician you can bet they don’t give a shit. Rwanda no one cared. Etc. UK is too busy with brexit and US is probably dealing with Huwaei or something.
I actually watched a video on YouTube about the protests, it was from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. And I get a lot of international news from comedy news talk shows i.e. Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj or Last Week Tonight by John Oliver. Sad but can’t remember the last time I watched regular news, I now get my news from Reddit or comedians
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