- Words ‘hegemony’ in English and ‘double standards’ in simplified Chinese spray-painted in white on wall and gate
- Police say they received a report from consulate staff that they stopped a man from causing a nuisance on Tuesday morning
Hong Kong police have arrested a man for suspected criminal damage after he allegedly spray-painted graffiti on the entrance and walls of the US consulate in Central. Photo: HandoutPolice in Hong Kong have arrested a man for suspected criminal damage after he allegedly spray-painted graffiti on a wall and gate of the US consulate in Central.
The words “hegemony” in English and “double standards” in simplified Chinese were spray-painted in white, photos show.
“At 5.22am, police received a report from consulate staff that they had stopped a man from causing a nuisance,” a spokesman for the force said on Tuesday.
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“Officers arrived at the scene and arrested the man. They found that white paint had been sprayed on the exterior walls and entrance. He has been arrested for suspected criminal damage for the moment.”
In a reply to the SCMP, a spokesperson for the US consulate said: “The United States champions freedom of expression. While we do not support the destruction of property, we believe that every person has the right to express their views peacefully – including those who do not agree with us.”
“The US consulate general thanks the Hong Kong Police Force for its prompt response.”
According to police, the suspect, 47, holds a two-way permit, a mainland Chinese travel document used to enter Hong Kong. The man came from Shandong province, the SCMP learned.
White paint was sprayed on an exterior wall and a metal gate, with each area covering three metres by one metre.
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Police have classified the case as criminal damage. Detectives from the Central district crime squad are following up on the case.
In Hong Kong, the maximum penalty for destroying or damaging property is 10 years in jail under the Crimes Ordinance.
The graffiti was removed later on Tuesday morning.