Oh, how chance can be a funny thing! Today, the American embassy said that it was a pure “coincidence” that the United States ambassador to China reportedly found himself on a street in Beijing at the very site of a would-be protest inspired by the “Jasmine Revolution.” In a video circulating on the web, John Huntsman, seen wearing dark glasses and a leather jacket adorned with the American flag, is in a mob of onlookers on Wangfujing, in front of the McDonald’s where the Democratic rally was to take place. This video has sparked anger among certain Internet users who claim that it is an anti-Chinese conspiracy.
“The Huntsmans were on a family outing. They were heading towards Tienanmen Square and happened to pass by Wangfujing. It was a pure coincidence that they were there at the same time as the protest,” declared Richard Buangan, spokesperson for the American chancery, to the AFP news agency. Yesterday, a new campaign was issued over the Internet, inviting the Chinese in 13 cities to peacefully rally every Sunday in an effort to ask for more government transparency and freedom of expression.
It was recently announced that Jon Huntsman, possible Republican candidate for the presidential election in 2012, was going to quit his post as ambassador to Beijing in April. It can be assumed that he will begin to polish his image since an association with China is not viewed favorably in the United States today. In any case, hats off to the spokesperson at the American embassy, about whom people are wondering how he could deliver this version of the facts without choking with laughter!
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