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Beijing Blasts Bullying Behavior Of New U.S. Law; Anti-Government Protesters Set Fire To Iranian Consulate; Climate Crisis, #CallToEarth. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired November 28, 2019 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:23]
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi. This is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR, CONNECT THE WORLD: Hello and welcome to what is a very busy couple of hours. Coming to you from CNN's
buzzing regional programming hub right here, as you know in Abu Dhabi.
It is bang on 7:00 p.m. here. It is 6:00 p.m. in Baghdad. It is 10 in the morning in D.C. Let's do it.
It is Thanksgiving Day -- one of the biggest holidays in America.
And in Hong Kong protesters giving their own thanks after the U.S. President officially endorsed the territory's pro-democracy movement,
signing a bill supporting protesters' demands.
But they are not grateful in Beijing. The Chinese government furious, summoning the American Ambassador to China for a diplomatic telling off.
Remember, there's also a bitter trade war with U.S. at the top of Beijing's grievances.
On another note, one Rudy Giuliani may not be overflowing with thanks today either. Mr. Trump now appears to be distancing himself from his personal
attorney after "The New York Times" reported that Giuliani pursued business opportunities in Ukraine at the same time that he was pressing officials
there for dirt on the President's political rival, Joe Biden.
So plenty to cover and we have the team to do that for you. We will get to Will Ripley in Hong Kong in just a moment. First up, let's get you to
CNN's Kristen Holmes who has been traveling with the President and is covering his Thanksgiving holiday in Florida.
Firstly, Happy Thanksgiving to you, Kristen. You've pulled the short straw some might say by working on Thanksgiving Day.
The President had been fairly non-committal about whether he would sign this legislation supporting Hong Kong protesters, perhaps understandably.
He is looking for this deal to end this trade war with China. And so what changed?
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN REPORTER: Well, Becky, that's a good question. And I think that you have to look at this as a larger scope here.
This is the time in Washington, a time across the country where Democrats and Republicans really cannot agree on anything. It is incredibly
polarizing.
But one thing that they agreed on was the passing of this bill. The Senate passed it unanimously and in the House, it passed 417 to one in vote.
So you have to look at the pressure that both parties were putting on the presidency here. He would have had to issue a veto, and really come to
terms with his own party and had to confront them and go against them at a time when he actually really need them.
We know this impeachment hearing is going on, the next phase is starting next week. And this is a time where President Trump needs his entire party
to rally behind him. He doesn't have the luxury of really going up against them over anything.
So if you look at it in that context, the idea that both of these parties coming together, agreeing on this one thing, that is where you see
President Trump in the middle of all of that.
Now, as you said, I mean, this is coming at a time where President Trump one, signaled that he might not sign it because of the trade deal and the
White House was signaling that they might be close in this trade deal.
And obviously, this could shift that narrative, and I do want to note, one thing that President Trump even said in his statement last night. It was
this kind of bizarre line where he said, I'm signing these bills out of respect to President Xi.
Well, we know that President Xi and Beijing are not happy with this bill. So it's unclear why he said that, unless it has to do with this idea that
he is trying to salvage the trade front.
ANDERSON: Standby. You're making some really good points and I want to get to Hong Kong and find out what the perspective is there. I do want to
come back to you to talk about Rudy Giuliani, which I'm sure will be possibly a dinner party conversation during the Trump Thanksgiving
celebrations.
But let me get to Will first. Will, pro-democracy protesters taking to the streets of Hong Kong once again, but this time it was to celebrate. Has
this move by the White House given protesters a new sense of drive? A new sense of momentum?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Becky. Think about it. This is the second big win for the pro-democracy movement here
in Hong Kong in less than a week because it was just last weekend when they had a landslide victory in the District Council Elections.
[10:05:09]
RIPLEY: Record high voter turnout, nearly three million Hong Kongers voted for the District Council. These are the local officials who handle
neighborhood issues. But it's the only officials that Hong Kongers can actually elect by universal suffrage.
The people who actually make the laws and the Chief Executive are chosen in a kind of a system that overwhelmingly favors pro-Beijing voices.
So you had this huge election victory, but essentially nothing changes in terms of who is calling the shots here, and that's Beijing.
And so you see this contrast playing out right here in this city tonight. You have celebrations in the streets over this bill that could result in
sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. It could raise, you know, doubts about Hong Kong's special trade status, which is part of the reason
why this city has been so prosperous, even though currently it's in a recession.
But yet, the protesters are thanking the United States and the government in lockstep with Beijing condemning the United States. This is the divide,
the reason I think, Becky, that we're going to continue to see social unrest because there is such a wide gap between the vast majority of
citizens and the government.
And until they find a way to get closer together, you're going to continue to have resentment and anger towards the government and the government,
deploying their police to try to, you know, maintain control and in ways that some have accused of being excessive force.
Even though I will say, the protesters are the ones who confront the officers and police did find 600 petrol bombs in that university that those
students were occupying a couple of weeks ago.
ANDERSON: How surprised, do you think China was by this new U.S. legislation?
RIPLEY: Well, they knew that President Trump was really struggling, because he values personal relationships. And he talked repeatedly over
the last week about his friendship and respect for Chinese President Xi Jinping, and it was telling Becky, that just after the announcement that he
signed this bill into law, seven days after it was nearly unanimously passed by both Houses of Congress, you know, on Capitol Hill.
He waited a while. He waited. He pushed it right to the edge. He signed it because if he didn't sign it, he would have gone against almost all the
Republicans and the Democrats on the Hill. So we didn't really have a choice, you know, in terms of domestic politics.
But at the same time, he is on the verge potentially of this trade deal, or at least so he thought with China, and he knows that this kind of sensitive
issue is exactly the kind of thing that could just pull China right out of the process, and bring everyone back to square one.
So that puts pressure on him as he, you know, heads towards an election year. So he is really juggling trying to send a message that he still
respects China, but at the same time, he has to -- I mean, he is the head of the United States of America. He has to also, you know, represent
democracy and human rights or so you would think.
But yet, you heard him kind of ride on the fence this week. And certainly the reaction here in Hong Kong, very positive. And in China, they're very
angry that he did that. They think he shouldn't have done it.
ANDERSON: Sure. Sure. So President Trump, Kristen then will be mulling what happens next with regards China. He, as we read the latest from "The
New York Times" on Rudy Giuliani and his, as it were, double dipping in Ukraine. The U.S. President must be concerned about his relationship with
his personal lawyer at this point.
HOLMES: Well, Becky, that is an interesting question. So I kind of want to break down what exactly we have learned about Giuliani and why it is
important.
So "The New York Times" is reporting that essentially at the same time that he was trying to dig up dirt on the Bidens, he was trying to get the
government to announce this investigation, that he was also in negotiations to represent Yuriy Lutsenko or the Ukrainian Ministry of -- excuse me, the
Ukrainian Ministry, to essentially help them find this missing $7 billion that they believe was stolen from the Ukrainian government.
And in exchange for this, he would be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now this is a huge issue for a multitude of reasons. But I'm
going to name three of them.
One is the idea here that he is helping, that he is trying to garner favor with these Ukrainians at the same time he is asking them for a favor for
this money. Two, is the idea that there's a Federal criminal investigation into Giuliani in New York right now and "New York Times" says that his
financial dealings with Ukrainian officials is one thing that investigators are looking at.
This would be potentially very bad for him if he had this on the table.
And third, is that relationship with President Trump that you mentioned. The idea here that President Trump now is distancing himself already. He
has already said about Rudy Giuliani that he is -- doesn't know -- he didn't direct him to do anything. And now this gives him the opportunity
to essentially treat him as a rogue actor in this country.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. More to come. Busy times, despite it being Thanksgiving, of course in the U.S. To both of you, thank you.
I want to get back to the story on the ground in Hong Kong because while we have been discussing this new U.S. legislation in support of protesters'
demands, police in Hong Kong, clearing the mess left behind inside Polytechnic University.
[10:10:16]
ANDERSON: One of several campuses and which protesters has barricaded themselves over the past couple of weeks. Police, as Will pointed out, so
far removed 600 petrol bombs and what they described as other dangerous materials.
Hundreds of people were detained as they fled. Now more allegations of abuse at the hands of police. Paula Hancocks with this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): More than 1,100 people were detained and processed by police leaving Hong Kong
Polytechnic University -- the scene of violent clashes a week and a half ago, the sight of a subsequent siege by police who labeled anyone inside a
rioter, a charge which carries up to 10 years in prison.
The arrests include two human rights observers who say they were wrongly arrested as they were there in an official capacity documenting events.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENNIFER WANG, RIGHTS EXPOSURE: They patted us down. This was on the street. And they said they were arresting us. They zip tied us with
plastic ties behind our backs and they let us onto the bus.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS (voice over): When asked about these allegations, police told CNN they don't comment on individual cases, but always respect the dignity,
privacy and rights of detainees.
The human rights observers say once the police knew their jobs, they became verbally abusive, chanting at them for their occupation and for being
foreigners -- one British, one Chinese-American.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GODDEN, COFOUNDER, RIGHTS EXPOSURE: It's a bit of an obvious point, but I think it's worth pointing out that when you're arrested, you're still
innocent. And when you're in detention, you have not been charged and you'd be treated as an innocent individual. That was not the impression we
got.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS (voice over): They say they were held in a police station parking garage with more than 100 others sitting on a wooden chair, not allowed to
move around or speak.
Wang says she was only offered water and no food for almost 24 hours. She says she later posted bail.
More than 5,800 protesters have been arrested since the protests began in June. According to police, more than 900 have been charged.
Lawyers were advising those inside Poly U about their rights before they surrendered to police. Some found the blanket label of rioter,
problematic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LINDA WONG, BARRISTER, ERIK SHUM'S CHAMBERS: We need to prove that what they've done, okay. Why they were here? What they were doing at the time
when the riot took place? You can say when there's a riot and because you were there, and then you take part.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANCOCKS (voice over): Police say anyone that believes they were mistreated can lodge a complaint. Thousands now face an uncertain future
as they wait to hear if they will be charged, cautioned or exonerated. Paula Hancocks, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, clearly there is significant tension then between China and the United States on the sort of broader picture and later on, CONNECT
THE WORLD, CNN's exclusive interview with the founder and CEO of Chinese telecom giant, Huawei. He talks to us just ahead of the one year
anniversary of his daughter's arrest in Canada. Here is part of what he told my colleague, Kristie Lu Stout.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REN ZHENGFEI, FOUNDER AND CEO, HUAWEI (through translator): As a father, I of course care about my children. However, the experience of hardship and
suffering is good for Meng and her growth.
Under the grand backdrop of the Sino-U.S. trade war, she is like a small ant being caught between the collision of two giant powers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And he has a lot more to say about that father-daughter relationship just a few minutes from now.
Well, security forces in Iraq cracking down on anti-government demonstrators after protesters torched the Iranian Consulate on Wednesday
night.
Tehran demanding or is condemning the attack and demanding the government in Baghdad respond firmly to those behind it.
At least 13 people were killed and scores wounded when authorities opened fire on a group of demonstrators in Nasiriyah earlier today.
Protesters are demanding the government step down and hold early elections under direct supervision of the United Nations.
More than 300 people have been killed since the protests began nearly two months ago.
For more on the growing unrest, CNN's Sam Kiley joining me here in Abu Dhabi. You were in Iraq a week or so ago. What do you make of what is --
what's going on now?
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it's coming to a really critical moment, really. This is the second attack on
an Iranian consulate in that same area. The last one was Karbala, which is symbolic enough. Now it's Najaf -- that's the absolute center of the whole
Shia tradition.
Of course, Iran I don't need to remind you is a Shia theocracy. So these are Shia demonstrators taking on a Shia government and the influence of the
Iranians, and I think that makes it a highly volatile moment and it is right across the country this is going on, as my report reflects.
[10:15:15]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KILEY (voice over): Automatic weapons in use against Iraqi civilians in Nasiriyah. The death toll rises as riots and demonstrations continue into
their second month against the government, apparently bereft of any response, but more violence.
This is blood, he says, this is Iraqi blood.
A lot has been spilled already. Well over 300 dead and 15,000 injured across the center and south of Iraq. Tens of thousands have been
protesting against the Shia dominated government. Protesters say they are fighting corruption, mismanagement, sectarianism and increasingly against
Iran's close involvement in Iraq's political life.
Here torching the consulate of Iran, as Shia theocracy in Najaf, the heart of the Shia religion. Not long ago such an act would have been unthinkable
but, anti-Iranian feeling is so high, it's the second time rioters have attempted to burn an Iranian Consulate in this region.
"When the consulate was set on fire, all the riot police in Najaf the security forces started firing on us as if we were burning the whole of
Iraq," he says.
Iran has called for a firm response from the Iraqi government after its diplomats were evacuated from the burnt consulate. The U.S. and other
nations have joined the U.N. in calling on the Baghdad government to step down and meet the demands from the streets for new elections.
Several weeks ago, the PM said he would resign, but he still have not left office.
In the port city of Basra, Baka Ebrahim summed up the national frustration saying, "I've lived in deprivation and hunger for 16 years. My life can be
briefly described as injustice after injustice."
Iraq's government has shown no signs that it understands this. But it is comfortable with brute force.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KILEY: Now, Becky, the Iraqi government has reacted by setting up some crisis committees, they said, but actually, the officer put in charge of
the Nasiriyah Crisis Committee in those violence that we've just seen there, has actually already been moved from his post after these latest
round of killings.
And all of this is happening at a time when there's been an attempted Prison Break out in Mosul of ISIS prisoners. So this is a roiling
situation. If there is more violence, and there is some evidence now that the Shia tribes in that area are beginning to show arms, they're not
clashing with the military, but they have come between the military and the demonstrators.
If there's an open warfare or open kind of violence using weapons that would escalate things, but ironically, probably make it a bit easier for
the Iraqi government to react because violence, they understand. It's nonviolent protest that's so frightening.
ANDERSON: Yes. And this is an Iraqi government that protesters are demanding stand down. We know there were promises made by the Prime
Minister, we are yet to see any evidence. They are anything but tone deaf. Similar story in other places, not least in Beirut, in Lebanon.
Underlying all of this, again, reflected in Lebanon as well, it seems, is this sense of a lack of dignity for so many people, not just in these
capital cities, but across the country and that is reflected in in Iraq as well.
KILEY: Very, very strongly. I mean, I cannot overstate these are Shia demonstrating against a Shia government and the influence of a Shia nation.
In the past, they would have in a sense, welcomed this level of sectarianism. Now on the streets and I've been there in Baghdad for two
days running, it is all about ending corruption, ending the influence of religious leaders in politics.
And we're seeing -- and you heard the same thing, I believe in Beirut when you were there. I think this is -- this is a turning point. The problem
is it is what comes after. The religious structures do provide a degree of structure that they were placed to fall back into when Iraq fell apart.
They have defined the Constitution, as you know, in Lebanon, so, nobody really has an answer for what next? Violence -- the region understands
pretty well. Nonviolent demonstrations are very, very hard to control. They're highly democratic. But then the problem is, who is going to run
the country? This is a leadership revolution we're seeing in Iraq at least.
ANDERSON: A leaderless revolution.
KILEY: Leaderless, rather.
ANDERSON: With the leadership that the Iraqis -- neither the Iraqis nor the Lebanese want. Thank you, sir. Well, these protests aren't stopping
and we are not stopping our coverage.
Tune in early next week when I'll be talking to Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert. She is the United Nations Special Envoy to Iraq, so very well placed to
take us deep into the root causes of the problems.
And as Sam and I were just discussing, hopefully, potentially able to answer that big question which is what happens next, that only here on
CONNECT THE WORLD on CNN.
[10:20:20]
ANDERSON: As we've been discussing, Lebanon has seen serious unrest, six weeks' worth now, and this week clashes in Beirut, opening some old fears.
The protests have been largely peaceful over that period of time. Ben Wedeman though in the Lebanese capital for us. Here is a preview of what
we will have for you next hour.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Tuesday night, clashes broke out between youth in the predominantly Christian
neighborhood of Ain Remmaneh and the adjacent mostly Shia Muslim neighborhood of Chiyah.
Many of the Christian support the protests while many Shia are backers of Hezbollah and the other main Shia party, Amal, which are opposed to them.
These women, many of whom lived through Lebanon's civil war, came out from both sides of the old divide to say, never again.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZEINAH KARAM, PROTESTER: The people that are fighting now on the streets between each other are people who were born after the war, so they don't
want -- they don't even know what it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: More on Lebanon next hour. Well, tick, tick that is the sound of the climate clock. Scientists now warning the tipping point is near.
How much time we have is up next.
Our CNN's Call To Earth, how you can have a positive impact in this fight against climate change?
And the show must go on. Balloons flying over New York City as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, why they almost didn't make it.
Taking a short break. That is after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: We are in a state of planetary emergency. Our home now coming dangerously close to a catastrophic point of no return. That is if the
climate crisis continues on its current path.
Those are just some of the warnings from a group of researchers. Their report published in the "Nature Research Journal" calling for urgent action
to avoid what they are calling an existential threat to civilization.
Meanwhile, the E.U. Parliament passing a vote today declaring a climate emergency. Let's bring in CNN senior international correspondent, Arwa
Damon.
Before I get to you to break down this latest report, this is an issue close to your heart. You bring us incredibly important reporting from the
front lines of the climate crisis. I just want to look back at some of your work that perhaps our viewers haven't seen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Our planet possesses a wild beauty, ethereal and awe-inspiring, deceptively and
dominantly.
[10:25:08]
DAMON (on camera): It's literally taken my breath away.
DAMON (voice over): We traveled from the Antarctic to the Arctic to the Sargasso Sea, documenting the impact of manmade climate crisis to our toxic
filth that ends up in the ocean.
Much of it is unseen, but experts say it's undeniable. Our planet's equilibrium is under attack.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Global tipping point is the warning from scientists coming out just days after a U.N. report said we are on track to increase temperatures
to double that -- double that of the Paris Climate Accord target. Arwa, how close are we at this point to falling over the edge?
DAMON: Becky, given as you just said that that report showed that we are on track to nearly doubling toxic carbon dioxide emissions as opposed to
actually working towards reducing them and as this current paper put together by these researchers would indicate, we are literally holding on
by our fingernails to the edge of the cliff. And when we fall off that, that's it. We have actually gone across the tipping point.
Now, what are these tipping points? Well, a tipping point is an area where basically we've reached the point of no return. We cannot reverse or
reduce the environmental impact that we have had on it.
And this paper points out nine areas where we are either very close to achieving that or in some cases may have already achieved it. And these
includes areas like the Arctic and the loss of sea ice there to Greenland, to down in the Antarctic to the Permafrost in Russia to areas in North
America.
And the issue, Becky, is that when these areas reach a tipping point, it doesn't happen in isolation. It's not this idea or this notion that some
people may have of, oh that's happening in the Arctic or in the Antarctic, that's not really going to affect me or my way of life.
The thing is, it actually is because these events end up being in some ways interconnected and feeding off of one another to actually make what takes
place even worse in the sense of its impact on the planets broader climate.
So you have these things that are at the moment, affecting, for example, the pace of one of the key Atlantic currents. Why do we care about this?
Well, because that current moves heat from the south, from the Antarctic all the way up to the Arctic and when that doesn't take place, you end up
having these massive shifts in weather to the point where as this report is highlighting, Becky, these massive shifts in weather risk the way we live
our life and whether or not we'll be able to live on this planet at all.
ANDERSON: Climate Crisis is a big voter issue now in many parts of the world, not least in the United States, despite how the U.S. President, by
the way feels about it.
According to a recent CNN poll, Arwa, for the U.S. 2020 election, more voters see it as an important issue than impeachment, for example, which
has been dominating headlines for weeks.
I wonder how you think public opinion, not just in the U.S., but around the world might force change.
DAMON: Well, in theory, we would hope that it does and the problem is that even though there is this significant level of awareness among consumers,
we don't quite have that translating into the same number of people who are aware actually being willing to change their individual behavior.
And then of course, you have the role that companies can actually play and that they need to play when it comes to they, themselves trying to reduce
their consumption and then their creation of these greenhouse gases.
And then Becky, you have the role of nations. And when we look at how globally speaking, emissions have actually gone up, that is shocking, given
what we already know.
But the crux of that issue is that nations aren't acting in the global good. They're trying to individually reduce their emissions by for
example, outsourcing production to other countries which allows them to say, look, we've done a great job, our emissions have gone down.
But when we look at the global numbers that is what's important because this issue with our climate crisis, it's not going to stay contained to one
country or one ethnicity or one religion.
[10:30:10]
DAMON: It is literally not going to leave a single person on this planet untouched.
ANDERSON: You, I know are heading to COP 25 next week. We will talk to you from there. Arwa, thank you. You'd be forgiven, viewers for feeling
this is all a bit depressing. So what can we all do?
We've got a quiz actually online that might help. For example, when it comes to food, what do you think can make the biggest impact? Cooking on a
clean stove? Composting your waste? Eating as plant-based diet? Or throwing less away? Check it out. That is cnn.com.
When it comes to climate crisis, CNN is all hands on deck. Call to Earth is our pledge to the environment. Coming up later on the show.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: ... of the American West, free range herds of bison are now a rare sight. This herd of Castle Rock
bison in northeastern New Mexico is especially rare, much like the land they roam, and the man who owns them, Ted Turner.
GUS HOLM, MANAGER, VERMEJO PARK RANCH: Those bison because of their unique genetics are one of the native species on this landscape that we help
conserve.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Stay with us for that and in fact, stay with us now. We're going to take a very short break. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Beijing is blasting a new U.S. law signed by President Trump, calling it quote "bullying behavior." The law requires the U.S. to make
sure Beijing is upholding Hong Kong's special freedoms. If China doesn't, Washington could withdraw Hong Kong's special trade status with the U.S.
Now, demonstrators have been holding a Thanksgiving rally to thank the American President as the U.S. marks that holiday.
Hong Kong's government calls the law unnecessary and unwarranted, one analyst say the move comes at a sensitive time for trade talks between
Beijing and Washington and if the U.S. removes Hong Kong's special status, it could gravely impact the city's economy. We will have more as we get
it, of course.
[10:35:00]
ANDERSON: She has been called the face of the U.S.-China trade war. This Sunday will mark one year in detention for Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Chinese
telecom company, Huawei. She was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States on charges including violating sanctions against Iran.
Well, CNN is hearing exclusively from Meng's father, Huawei CEO and founder, Ren Zhengfei. He spoke to my colleague, Kristie Lu Stout at the
company's headquarters in Shenzhen in China, and tells Kristie how his daughter's detention has actually brought them closer together.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): She has been called a pawn and a bargaining chip, even the face of the U.S.-China
trade war, and the U.S. has accused her of fraud.
But to the founder and CEO of Huawei, Meng Wanzhou is the daughter he praises for her year of suffering.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REN ZHENGFEI, CEO, FOUNDER, HUAWEI (through translator): As a father, I of course, care about my children. However, the experience of hardship and
suffering is good for Meng and her growth.
Under the grand backdrop of the Sino-U.S. trade war, she is like a small ant being caught between the collision of two giant powers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): On December 1, 2018, Meng, the CFO of Huawei was arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S. She and the Chinese tech
giant face a number of charges including bank fraud, trade secrets theft and sanctions violations.
Meng and Huawei both deny the charges. She is fighting extradition.
At Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen, I spoke with Meng's father about her life under house arrest, a life Meng spends in one of two homes she owns in
Vancouver.
Ren Zhengfei says she enjoys painting and studying. Meng's mother and husband routinely fly to Canada to care for her.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (on camera): When was the last time you spoke with Meng Wanzhou, your daughter?
ZHENGFEI (through translator): Perhaps three or four days ago. There is no routine. Oftentimes, I'd send her some funny stories I find online, or
ring her up and ask her how she is doing.
LU STOUT: Have you become closer as father and daughter?
ZHENGFEI (through translator): Yes, indeed. In the past, Meng Wanzhou might not give me a single call in a whole year. She wouldn't ask how I
was, or even send me a text message.
Of course, simply knowing that my child is out there, working really hard already makes me happy. Now, our relationship has become much closer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): Days after Meng's arrest in Vancouver, diplomatic relations between China and Canada soured. China detained two Canadian
citizens, former Canadian diplomat, Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor.
China has charged them with espionage and denies their arrest are related to Meng's case. There has been no response from Kovrig or Spavor, who
according to Canadian state media have been denied access to lawyers and their family since their arrest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (on camera): As a father, you've been able to speak with your daughter and in fact, your relationship has gotten closer, as you say, even
though she is under house arrest. Do you think the fathers of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, they deserve that as well?
ZHENGFEI (through translator): I don't have any information about these two people. I also don't have information about the law enforcement in
this case, that's why I cannot give any comment on this issue.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): On January the 20th, Meng Wanzhou will be in court to fight her extradition to the U.S. on fraud charges. As for her future
at Huawei, one thing is certain, she won't get promoted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ZHENGFEI (through translator): Hardships like this one will have a major impact on a person's grit and character. However, when she returns to
Huawei, it doesn't mean that she will be given greater responsibilities. She's a financial officer, she can only handle financial matters. She
won't be handling other aspects of the business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): One year of detention may have made his daughter stronger, but not strong enough to one day take the reins from the father.
Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Shenzhen.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, it's a Thanksgiving tradition in the United States. Yes, it is the Annual Macy's Parade in New York. Why this year could have been
a low altitude affair. That is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:40:52]
ANDERSON: They are full of hot air and ready for their close ups. For once, no, it is not our political leaders but the Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade balloons in New York. Loving it all, Miguel Marquez out on the streets of Manhattan on what is a freezing Thanksgiving morning and a happy
day to you.
I know this weather threatening to destabilize these plans somewhat. Explain.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I want to show you what's happening right now. That's the stabilization we're talking about.
That's one of the Nutcracker balloons. That's one of those smaller big balloons that's coming down here. And when they come across these
intersections, their handlers have a very tough time handling them essentially because they are just -- they are giant balloons and it's
extremely difficult even in light winds to control them.
They made the call late in the morning to let these balloons fly. And these handlers are going to get a workout. They still have many, many
blocks to go. We are at the very top of the parade here.
All that said, people are having a great time here. Happy Thanksgiving. They have been lining up here since about four o'clock in the morning, so
you have about 8,000 people total that bring this event together, tens of thousands of people along the route and millions of people watching around
the world.
And the sun was mostly out this morning, so we're having a pretty good day, but we're still a little worried about the wind -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Oh, bless you. But it looks -- it looks like a lot of fun and I know that people are enjoying themselves, whether those balloons stay up or
not. Thank you, sir.
Well, now I'm Champions League, an inspired moment from an absolute football legend.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: Anything that could run a penalty there. Well, Hummels just giving it away. Messi, Suarez, Messi, two naught.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Arguably, perhaps not even so anymore, the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi scoring for Barcelona and get this, his 700th game
for the club.
Let's get sports. World Sport's Christina MacFarlane in the house for you with plenty more on that. And of course, last night's other Champions
League matches -- Christina.
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yes, that's right, Becky, 700 games in 15 years for Messi at Barcelona. Just staggering, isn't it?
But coming up though, Becky, we will tell you why it hasn't been smooth sailing for Liverpool this week in their bid to defend their title. Find
out more in just a moment.
ANDERSON: Yes, good stuff. We'll take a short break, folks. Back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[SPORTS]
[10:55:56]
ANDERSON: Thank you and ahead on CONNECT THE WORLD, more on that breaking news on the Hillsborough disaster as the former police officer in charge on
the day back in 1989 is found not guilty.
New details on how our world is burning up into a climate crisis. We're going to take you live to Antarctica. That's after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:00:00]
END
