BEIJING: China said Monday (Jun 1) unrest in the United States highlighted its severe problems of racism and police violence, and exposed Washington's double standards in supporting Hong Kong's protesters.
"Black people's lives are also lives. Their human rights must also be guaranteed," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing, referring to the death in custody of an unarmed black man in Minneapolis.
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READ: Tear gas fired outside White House as protesters rage over death of George Floyd
"Racism against ethnic minorities in the US is a chronic disease of American society," Zhao added.
"The current situation reflects once more the severity of the problems of racism and police violence in the US."
Chinese diplomats and state media have seized on the violent unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd to accuse the US of hypocrisy and compare American protesters with demonstrators in Hong Kong.
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Beijing has long been infuriated by criticism from Western capitals, especially Washington, over its handling of the protests that shook Hong Kong last year.
READ: China threatens to 'counter-attack' US over Hong Kong curbs
Zhao on Monday said the US government's response to protests at home was a "textbook example of its world-famous double standards".
"Why does the US lionise the so-called Hong Kong independence and black violence elements as heroes and activists, while calling people who protest against racism 'rioters'?" Zhao asked.
China has insisted that "foreign forces" are to blame for the turmoil in Hong Kong, where protesters – described by Beijing as rioters – have marched in Read More – Source
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