‘Crushed bodies and shattered bones’: Xi Jinping's threat against Tibetans and Hong Kongers
by Wang Zhicheng

Many Tibetan refugees in Nepal have demonstrated against the visit of the Chinese president. Beijing's wrath against Ted Cruz, who praises the Hong Kong anti-extradition movement. For China, Cruz’s words are "blatant lies" and "nonsense". The military intervention in Hong Kong "is always possible".


Beijing (AsiaNews) - Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting yesterday in Nepal has threatened to destroy anyone who dares to claim independence from China and any outside force that helps this project.

According to Nepalese media, Xi said: " Anyone attempting to split China in any part of the country will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones. And any external forces backing such attempts at dividing China will be deemed by the Chinese people as pipe-dreaming".

The threatening phrase refers first of all to the many Tibetan refugees present in Nepal, who had protested against his visit, and whom the Nepalese government has blocked. But according to observers it is also a warning against Hong Kong and Taiwan.

An AsiaNews source in China commented: "In Hong Kong, military intervention is always possible".

For the past four months in Hong Kong, a "leaderless" movement has challenged the local government and China, demanding full democracy and autonomy (even if not independence).

Beijing considers this movement a "colored revolution" that wants independence and is manipulated by foreign forces ", especially the US.

Two days ago, the Beijing Foreign Office in Hong Kong strongly criticized Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who was visiting the territory and expressed solidarity with the anti-extradition movement, judging it to be "non-violent". An Office spokesman accused Cruz of saying "blatant lies" and "nonsense", defending "elements of extreme violence".

In fact the movement is in general and for the majority non-violent. But there are extreme fringes that respond to government repression and police violence with vandalism, destruction and Molotov cocktails.

Xi's words also seem to be addressed to Taiwan. On 10 October, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China, Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen defended Taiwan's autonomy against Beijing's attempt to incorporate it. For Beijing, Taiwan is "a rebel island" that must return - even under force - to the motherland.

For decades, the Chinese Communist Party has been the guarantor of the unity of the country against any attempt at autonomy or independence.