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Comment by newguy1234 | Hacker News Reader

If they turn to lethal weapons then political support for them would probably break down very quickly, especially from foreign powers.

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As long as commerce keeps flowing, I think China has high enough self esteem that they'll do just fine losing some popularity, and I can't see Western corporations putting any money where their mouths are.

Actually, no corporations have really commented on the matter as far as I know, so they're not even being hypocritical. There is so much money on the line, it would have to get incredibly bloody before anyone would do anything, so I think China has lots of leeway, and I've seen nothing to indicate they're not incredibly sharp.

No idea why this is downvoted, I think its a daring thesis that China cares what the rest of the world thinks. On top of that there are only a few countries that can afford and are willing to actually act on something like this, there is just to much money to be made in the Chinese market.

That lethal force against protesters leads somehow automatically to breaking down of political support is wishful thinking. Do you really need a list of countries who regularly use lethal force against protesters and are good friends and partners of western governments? When it comes to a state killing protesters all that matters is who the state is.

The US has launched a trade/tariff skirmish against China. Not because of Hong Kong, but it shows a government willing to act.

The US started a trade conflict due to geopolitical interests, it has nothing to do with the topic at hand. The US is willing to act in their best interest, we are talking about countries acting against their best interest out of a humanitarian conviction.

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