More Hong Kong Residents Say U.S. Is Bigger Threat Than China, Poll Shows

Asked whether they would consider the U.S. government to be “more of an ally or more of a threat to Hong Kong and its interests,” 38 percent of respondents felt it was more of a threat, 29 percent chose it being more of an ally and 21 percent said it was neither. At 37 percent, slightly fewer chose the Chinese government as a threat and 34 percent called Beijing an ally, while 16 percent thought it was neither.

An additional 37 percent of Hong Kong residents said they believed closer relations with mainland China “will best serve Hong Kong’s long-term strategic interests,” outweighing the 30 percent that thought stronger ties with the United States would better benefit the territory. Looking to neither Beijing nor Washington for support from abroad, 9 percent chose to forge better bonds with another government.