China ties shape cautious reaction to Hong Kong protests

For Canada and the European Union, they are a "situation." For President Donald Trump, a potential stumbling block in ongoing trade disputes. And for South Korea, an issue to be monitored. With the notable exception of Taiwan, cautious comments from the few governments willing to speak out on the ongoing protests in Hong Kong fall far short of support for the demonstrators. They are so mild that even the word "protest" itself was left out of the joint EU-Canada statement that was the most recent