Thread by @WeiDuCNA

Steve Bannon, speaking in HK at Chinese-owned broker event, delivers not so anti-China speech. Tweet storm coming.

Bannon: I was leading the effort within WH to turn @Google and @facebook into public utilities.

Bannon: I don't think tax reform is gonna
happen in next couple months, might take longer.

Bannon: Paul Ryan's border tax adjustment tax would be fantastic, but it has ZERO chance of passing.

Bannon: Trump admin's clampdown on illegal immigrants led to mass self-deportation, raising wages for blacks/Hispanics in agri/construction.

Bannon: big misunderstanding of America First is it means American isolationism. America will engage on bilat basis, remain Pacific power.

Bannon: TPP/Paris Accord epitomize the sort of deals US will never be in again - one player among many, bound by other countries.

In "anti-China" speech, Bannon tells audience "there isn't a world leader he(@realDonaldTrump ) respects more than the Pres of China."

Bannon on pressing Xi for mkt access: Xi extraordinary, man of wisdom. Downside of US/China at odds so huge, he gets it has to be worked out

Bannon: We can avoid trade war, but we have to deal with the economic war against US. Naming Japan/Korea/China as mercantilist states.

Bannon: Northwest Pacific closest to Balkans in 1914 I've ever seen. Says Asia biggest growth opportunity but also biggest risk of war.

In a bizzare twist, Bannon praised ". "special alliance and affinity of these two people (US/China) dating back to WWII."

Says US/China vital to bringing peace to the world, not mentioning "going to war with China in 10-15 years in South China Sea."

Bannon asked abt @realDonaldTrump working with dems on debt ceiling: My recommendation would be "don't do that," but he's smarter than me.

I see many Qs about Bannon's Xi comment. Here's more: Chinese way of running their economic system is quite brilliant. I tip my hat to them.

Bannon: I left WH becuz @realDonaldTrump needed a wing man outside. Says focused on seeding candidates in 2018.

Bannon also wants to expand @BreitbartNews globally, names India and Eygpt as places where he sees similar nationalistic sentiments.

Bannon on Trump presidency: It really is an act of courage. He did this for his country. The nation owes him a huge debt of gratitude.

Audience, mixed crowd of Western and Asian investors, can no longer suppress light chuckle.

Bannon: this rule-based postwar order, I happen to think it's a fetish. #thatsgreat #alldone