Hong Kong, China Slam YouTube’s “Big Brother” Block on John Lee’s Campaign
In what feels like a digital version of a soap opera, governments in Hong Kong and mainland China publicly slammed YouTube for pulling the plug on the only competitive campaign account of John Lee, Hong Kong’s top contender for the city’s top job.
Why the Block happened
- The move came after the U.S. slapped sanctions on Lee last year, accusing him and other officials of stepping on Hong Kong’s freedom of speech.
- Alphabet’s YouTube side‑kick said it was “obligated to comply,” but critics say it’s more like the internet’s version of a reluctant janitor emptying a shelf because the landlord demanded it.
- Lee, who sits right behind Carrie Lam, remains confident that the ban hasn’t dented his bid to keep the reins in hand for the next five years.
China’s Takeaway
“It’s a total lie for U.S. companies to be used as instruments of political meddling,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Wang Wenbin, put it sharply. “The U.S. has a knack for throwing around political rhetoric and using sanctions as a cover to topple freedom of speech.”
Hong Kong’s Retort
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government rolled out a flurry of indignation. “We strongly oppose—and are outraged—by any foreign buzz–around our internal affairs,” they said. They also reminded the world that Hong Kong’s political framework is a sovereign China matter.
This came just 24 hours after Alphabet explained that it had taken down the account, pledging compliance with U.S. sanctions.
What’s Next?
With the election slated for May 8, Lee’s campaign eye‑waves may need to shift from digital to a more “old‑school” style—think street signs, hand‑shakes, and maybe a marching band? Only time will tell if new media can survive a legend of foreign interference.
