US consul general correct he won’t ‘recognise Hong Kong’ in the future, People’s Daily says in blasting criticism of electoral overhaul

A Beijing mouthpiece has accused the United States’ consul general in Hong Kong of “upending black and white” in the wake of his criticisms of last week’s radical electoral system overhaul, but agreed on one point – the city will eventually not be one he recognises.

The article, “Smith and his like should wake up from their old dream of calling wind and summoning rain in Hong Kong”, was published in the People’s Daily on Sunday, and carried across other portals including the website of state news agency Xinhua. “Calling wind and summoning rain” is a Chinese saying referring to people who are influential.