Hong Kong authorities apprehended a man on Tuesday for allegedly defacing the U.S. Consulate with graffiti, as reported by various news outlets and the police. The incident involved spray-painted words on the consulate's wall and gate, including the English word "hegemony" and the Chinese phrase for "double standards," according to images circulated by local media like the South China Morning Post.
This act of vandalism occurs amidst escalating tensions between the United States and China, with ongoing disputes over trade and the status of Taiwan, a self-governing island that China asserts as its own.
Law enforcement stated they received a report of the vandalism from the consulate early Tuesday morning. Subsequently, a 47-year-old man, identified by his surname Wen and originating from mainland China, was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage. If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
The U.S. Consulate has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident. The graffiti was reportedly cleaned off by late Tuesday morning.
