Hong Kong busts a myth of foreign ‘black hands’

For three months, as protesters in Hong Kong have demanded basic civic rights, China’s state-run media have depicted them as tools of outside powers. Its foreign minister warned “Western forces” to “pull back the black hand you have shown.” One American diplomat was targeted for allegedly instigating the demonstrations.

On Wednesday, however, the pro-Beijing leader of Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, popped this myth of a foreign conspiracy. And perhaps along with it, she challenged the Communist Party’s narrative of China as a continuous victim of foreign interference that needs the dictatorial rule of the party.

Her message was evident in her withdrawal of a bill that would have permitted China to extradite alleged offenders in Hong Kong for trial on the mainland, which lacks independent courts. She acknowledged the widespread grievances of people in Hong Kong. And she based her U-turn on the need to “fully allay public concerns.” No foreign “hand” was blamed.