How did the Hong Kong protests affect China’s international relations?

The Hong Kong protests strained China's international relations, particularly with Western democracies like the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Hong Kong protests, which began in 2019, were a significant challenge to China's authority and its international image. The protests were sparked by a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China. This was seen by many in Hong Kong as a threat to their freedoms and autonomy, leading to widespread protests.

The response of the Chinese government to these protests was viewed critically by many Western democracies. The United States, for example, passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in 2019, which allows for sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in Hong Kong. This was a clear sign of disapproval of China's handling of the protests and marked a significant deterioration in Sino-US relations.

The United Kingdom, which handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997, also expressed concern over the situation. The UK government offered a path to citizenship for up to three million Hong Kong residents, a move that was seen as a direct challenge to China's authority and led to further tensions between the two countries.

The European Union, Canada, and Australia, among others, also voiced their concerns over the situation in Hong Kong, leading to strained relations with China. These countries criticised the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, which they saw as a further erosion of the city's autonomy and freedoms.

In addition to straining relations with Western democracies, the Hong Kong protests also affected China's relations with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan, for example, has been a vocal supporter of the protests, which has led to increased tensions between China and Taiwan.

In conclusion, the Hong Kong protests have had a significant impact on China's international relations. They have led to strained relations with Western democracies, who have criticised China's handling of the protests and taken measures to support the protesters. They have also affected China's relations with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Taiwan.