Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Told Fox News on Wednesday that the Chinese invasion of Apple Daily’s Hong Kong room should serve as a “wake-up call” to the entire free world over the intentions of the Chinese Communist Party. Party (CCP).
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 71, was arrested and his newsroom raided by police on Monday, in the latest autonomous nation of the semi-autonomous nation of China’s new national security law. Lai has been an outspoken, pro-democracy figure and regularly criticizes the authoritarian rule of China and the Hong Kong government. He was released on bail on Wednesday.
“The Chinese Communist Party is afraid of Jimmy Lai because he dares to speak the truth against the authorities,” Hawley told Fox. ‘That’s why they’re trying to silence him, just like they’re trying to silence Americans and anyone who does not tease the party line. Jimmy Lai’s arrest should be a wake-up call for everyone. “
He added: “It is time for free peoples to join forces with Jimmy Lai, with Hong Kong, and against the CCP’s tyranny.”
The Missouri Republican also spoke out about his sanction by China, saying such measures would not deter him from continuing for America.
“#Sina announces that it is sanctioning me against revenge against speaking out #ChineseCommunistParty and defending America’s interests, “he tweeted Monday. Resist everything you want. I’m not back. “
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The tweet included a link to a story by the CPC-controlled Global Times, which stated that China had also sanctioned several other prominent GOP members, including Sens Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Tom Cotton, R-Ark.
Hawley is no stranger to the Global Times. Back in May, he and colleague Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Both disaster threatened by publication for their stance against China.
The article claimed that China was “extremely dissatisfied with the abuse of justice” by U.S. leadership, “and considered criminal countermeasures against U.S. individuals, entities, and government officials.”
It also created vicious threats against U.S. lawmakers by addressing analysts who promised, “China will not only strike symbolically, but impose countermeasures that will make them feel the pain.”
Hawley’s rhetoric against the Chinese government dates back to long before the Hong Kong incident. In an interview with Fox News last year about the National Basketball Association (NBA) cowing to China, the former Attorney General accused Beijing of using high-pressure tactics to bend people to their will.
“This is how Beijing plays ball. They tighten the screws,” he said at the time. “Now they want to censor Americans. The thing about the NBA is, they’re trying to tell Americans what we can and can’t say. My word to the NBA is that you do not become part of the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda arm. “
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Hawley summoned League Commissioner Adam Silver last month to testify before Congress, about the NBA’s relationship with China and the failure to highlight human rights abuses within Hong Kong, after allowing players to choose from an advance approved list of message about social justice to display on their jerseys.
“The competition’s new policy suggests a newfound commitment to improved employee expression. But that free expression seems to stop at the edge of your company sponsors’ sensitivities,” he said in a letter to Silver. “And for startling capital today, gains from the Chinese market are more popular than patriotism … If I am right – if the NBA is more committed to advancing the interests of the CCP than celebrating its homeland – your fans to know your sight. If not, prove me wrong. “
Fox News’ Stephen Sorace contributed to this report
