Congresswoman Defies Warnings from Pro-Democracy Groups to Attend Hong Kong

Congresswoman Grace Meng (d., n.y.) attended and spoke at the opening ceremony of a festival in Queens backed by Hong Kong’s authoritarian government earlier this month, in defiance of pleas from pro-democracy campaigners.

Other politicians who attended included New York mayor Eric Adams and many lower-level city and state officials, such as Elaine Fan, an aide in Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration who presented a proclamation to the organizers. It’s not clear if they were previously aware of the event’s backing by the Hong Kong government, though the affiliation of several Hong Kong agencies — including the participation of several Hong Kong officials in its host committee — is prominently listed on the event’s website. Meng, however, the only member of Congress to have attended, received a letter in advance detailing the event’s links to Hong Kong.

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Jimmy Quinn

Jimmy Quinn is the former national security correspondent for National Review.

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Congresswoman Grace Meng (d., n.y.) attended and spoke at the opening ceremony of a festival in Queens backed by Hong Kong’s authoritarian government earlier this month, in defiance of pleas from pro-democracy campaigners.

Other politicians who attended included New York mayor Eric Adams and many lower-level city and state officials, such as Elaine Fan, an aide in Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration who presented a proclamation to the organizers. It’s not clear if they were previously aware of the event’s backing by the Hong Kong government, though the affiliation of several Hong Kong agencies — including the participation of several Hong Kong officials in its host committee — is prominently listed on the event’s website. Meng, however, the only member of Congress to have attended, received a letter in advance detailing the event’s links to Hong Kong.