China on Friday strongly condemned the virulent remarks made by US Vice President Mike Pence the day before, which accused the NBA of complacency towards the Chinese "authoritarian regime" and supported the protesters in Hong Kong.
"His remarks show his total arrogance and hypocrisy, are full of political prejudices and lies, and China expresses deep indignation and firm opposition," spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters. from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We are at your side"
US Vice President Mike Pence vehemently denounced the overly conciliatory attitude of the NBA and Nike towards China, stressing US support for the Hong Kong protesters. "We are at your side," said Mike Pence during a speech in Washington, urging protesters to stay "on the road to nonviolent protest."
Taking up Donald Trump's warnings, he had assured that any recourse to violence on the part of Beijing would jeopardize the conclusion of a trade agreement between Washington and Beijing.
For several weeks, a crisis has pitted China against the North American Basketball League (NBA), due to a tweet from Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, in support of protesters in Hong Kong. "Some of the biggest players and franchise owners in the NBA, who exercise their right to criticize this country every day (the United States), lose their voices when it comes to the freedoms and rights of other peoples. said Mike Pence during a speech in Washington.
Star LeBron James on a trip to China
Mid-October, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James sparked strong reactions, saying that Daryl Morey, "did not know enough" and "was misinformed" when he issued a message of support to Hong Kong protesters. beginning of October. The player has a contract for life with the Nike equipment manufacturer, for which he often makes promotional trips to China where he is extremely popular.