Hong Kong Arrests Roman Catholic Cardinal
TimeOct 19, 2022
Hong Kong Arrests Roman Catholic Cardinal
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Image copyright: Bloomberg/Getty Images [via NBC News]
The Facts
On Wed., Hong Kong officials detained a Roman Catholic cardinal and three others for allegedly colluding with foreign actors to endanger China's national security.
Joseph Zen, a 90-year-old retired bishop, and the others were trustees of the now-defunct "612 Humanitarian Relief Fund." They were released on bail with their passports forfeited after being questioned.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
Beijing fears that any trace of freedom in Hong Kong might spread to mainland China and undermine CCP legitimacy. By arresting Zen, pro-Beijing authorities are attempting to curb religious liberty. This is their latest venture after extinguishing political dissent, freedom of the press and the independence of the judiciary.
Pro-China narrative
This is simply about law and order being correctly enforced by Hong Kong authorities. Illegal activities must be punished regardless of who takes part in them. The arrest of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund's trustees is justified - this was an irregular organization funded by anti-China forces.
