• Beijing official Xia Baolong condemns US tariffs as "extremely shameless".
• Xia asserts that US actions threaten Hong Kong's survival and stability.
• Hong Kong’s leadership stresses the importance of distinguishing between US government actions and businesses.
• National Security Education Day highlights awareness amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Xia Baolong, director of China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, recently characterized the United States' imposition of tariffs on Hong Kong as "extremely shameless" and a direct threat to the city's very existence. His remarks were made during a speech on Hong Kong's National Security Education Day, emphasizing that "the US isn’t after our tariffs – it is after our very survival" according to Channel News Asia.

Xia's comments came as China retaliated against the US by raising its tariffs on American goods to 125%, in response to US President Donald Trump's tariffs that have now reached 145% on Chinese imports, including those from Hong Kong. In his address, Xia described the US as a "sinister manipulator" that undermines human rights and prosperity in the region, underscoring the need for unity among Chinese citizens against foreign pressure, as reported by Reuters.

Reflecting on the escalating tensions, Regina Ip, a top adviser in Hong Kong’s Executive Council, emphasized the need to differentiate between the hostile actions of the US administration and the American business community, which she noted is also suffering from the tariff war. “We have to tell the Trump administration and US business sector apart, the latter is also a victim,” she said, illustrating Hong Kong's strategic importance as a key player in US-China trade relations, according to South China Morning Post.

The significance of National Security Education Day amid global tensions was echoed in editorials, which stressed the importance of equality and vigilance in safeguarding national security. Reports indicated that internal and external pressures require Hong Kong to remain resilient, with Xia underscoring that the 1.4 billion Chinese people will not be intimidated by US tactics, as emphasized by South China Morning Post.

In stark contrast to the mainland, Hong Kong's current leadership under John Lee has opted not to impose retaliatory tariffs, focusing instead on maintaining its status as an international free trade hub amidst the complexities of the US-China relationship, as noted by South China Morning Post.