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NEWS STREAM

Pushing For Protests - The Venezuelan Opposition Turns Up The Pressure And CNN Gets An Exclusive Undercover Look At The Chaos Inside The Country; The 5G Arms Race - A New Reports Says The U.S. Is Trying To Get Allies To Fight The Chinese Tech Giant, Huawei; Not Mincing Words, A Top U.S. Senator Uses Some Tough Language To Describe Uyghur Internment Camp In China. Aired: 8:00-9:00a ET

Aired January 28, 2019 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST, "NEWS STREAM": I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong and welcome to "News Stream." Pushing for protests - the Venezuelan

opposition turns up the pressure and CNN gets an exclusive undercover look at the chaos inside the country. The 5G arms race - a new reports says the

U.S. is trying to get allies to fight the Chinese tech giant, Huawei. And not mincing words, a top U.S. senator uses some tough language to describe

Uyghur internment camp in China.

And we begin with a call to protest. Juan Guiado is fighting for power in Venezuela and the self-declared interim President is urging his supporters

to take to the streets this week and demonstrate.

Guiado tells the "Washington Post," the opposition is in secret talks with military and government officials about ousting the embattled leader,

Nicolas Maduro. This comes as denials flow from Russia. The Kremlin is dismissing reports that Russians are being sent to protect Mr. Maduro.

For his part, Mr. Maduro spoke to CNN Turk and says the U.S. is behind an attempt to remove him from power.

NICOLAS MADURO, VENUZUELAN PRESIDENT (Through a translator): What is worse is Trump's administration since the arrival of the U.S. extremists, well,

they have done everything. The last thing they have done is a coup. They made one of their political puppet, someone unknown, a congressman. He was

elected in the Venezuelan system just like I was. They made him swear himself in outside of this Constitution and assume the role of President

falsely as interim President.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Countries around the world have been taking sides in the power struggle underway in Venezuela. Those backing Mr. Maduro include Russia,

Cuba, Turkey and China, while those siding with Juan Guiado include the U.S., several of the western nations and much of Latin America. Average

Venezuelans say everyday has become a test of survival.

Our Nick Paton Walsh went undercover to see for himself. He joins us now from neighboring Bogota, Columbia. And Nick, what have you learned?

NICK PATON WALSH, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, I think it's important to point out, Kristie, as we look at this crisis, very much

is a revival of the Cold War, Moscow and Washington on different side here.

When you're actually physically on the streets in Caracas, it's got nothing to do with that at all. It's about hunger. It's about the extraordinary

mismanagement of Nicolas Maduro's government and corruption, too, that's taken this nation along with Hugo Chavez, from being one of the richest

petrol states in the world to a place where people frankly nothing of scavenging through trash to get hold of food.

It's very hard to explain quite how difficult it is simply to eat inside a country which all glistens from the remarkable infrastructure, its former

riches built for a technical note here, a lot of the people we talked to here wanted anonymity out of fear and because of how we had to film. Some

of the audio isn't the very best, so don't adjust your set. But here's what nearly a week inside Venezuela look like.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATON WALSH (voice over): Cross into Venezuela's unending disaster, the worst growing refugee crisis and it's like the world as you know it, is

slowly ending.

Oil once made them the richest in South America, but this is now the line for three days and nights to get a full tank. In the capital, there's a

queue for everything, everywhere. Hunger breeds a special kind of anger.

PATON WALSH (on camera): These is how hyperinflation works. These groceries cost $50.00 now because of what's happening with the local

currency, they will be worth double at least by next month. People paying tomorrow's prices for today.

PATON WALSH (voice over): There is no queuing for the youngest living off what even here nobody wants. This isn't play, it's practice for self-

defense.

"My brother got killed in July by another gang," says 14-year-old Ismaria (ph), "They found the body in the river."

[08:05:05]

PATON WALSH (voice over): "We gather stuff, we beg, a piece of chicken skin to take home." In the socialist utopia that now leaves nearly every

stomach empty.

This was the day change was meant to come, hundreds of thousands flooding central Caracas watching opposition leader Juan Guaido swear himself in as

interim President. But it fast turned sour.

They've had this standoff outside the military airfield here for months. But this is the first time with an opposition leader claiming the

Presidency.

All eyes were on the army and whether it, too, would rise up.

PATON WALSH (on camera): This is the whole question really in the standoff. It's about the military's vote. They may be throwing stones at

them here, but what they really need is the army to switch sides.

PATON WALSH (voice over): That didn't happen. And the police teargas and motorcycle charges sent us fleeing down side streets. Some likely wounded

although dozens reported dead during the day.

It was up here in a normally loyal slums where the fight was nastiest. Special Forces entered these streets. They have been coming back to make

arrests all during the afternoon when we were invited to meet Carolina's extended family where Maduro's base has long lived.

The state handouts bought their loyalty for years. But now this is all she has to feed four this day. And they say now they, too, want Maduro gone.

"We can't hold it in anymore," one of her cousins says, "We're being crushed. We're beggars now, always begging."

"This isn't political, it's survival, people are killing each other for a kilo of rice, for water." "We can't hold it in anymore," one of her cousins

says. "We're being crushed with beggars now, always begging. This isn't political, it's survival. People are killing each other for a kilo of rice

-- for water."

Army defectors outside Venezuela called on soldiers to rise up, but we hear from one junior officer that even when you can't feed your family, it's

more complicated.

"I would say 80% of soldiers are against the government, some even go to demonstrations. But the big fishes, the senior officers are the ones

eating, getting rich, while on the bottom, we have it hard. I get a dollar and half every month promptly enough for one chicken and a food box from

the barracks. Then we have to work magic to make it last, like everyone else."

WALSH (on camera): Would you or the soldiers you know at your level - would you open fire on resistance people in the streets?

"I'd rather quit. That person could be my brother or my mother. We need a general to flip - to make a change."

And, as Washington says Maduro isn't President, but Moscow insists he is, everyone else walks zombielike, further and closer towards starvation.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

PATON WALSH: Now, I should point out, you know, 18 months since I last made a trip like that, things have deteriorated beyond recognition. It is

extraordinary how difficult it is, even with a substantial amount of dollars on our side to buy food on a daily basis. That's one of the

biggest challenges frankly we faced and also, too, it's important for a bit of reality check.

You know, I've seen protests in Turkey, Ukraine, Thailand try and dislodge a government they disliked, and we haven't yet seen the same kind of force

of people on the streets that is perhaps necessary to achieve that. They tend to turn up, be very polite, express how they feel and then go home.

So I think, we wait and see what happens on Wednesday and Sunday and the key question, too, is the Venezuelan military. You hear a lot of

discontent from the rank and file, even junior officers, they have it as hard as ordinary Venezuelans. But it's the higher senior officers who are

still making money, who are still loyal, who aren't moving and still manage to control their subordinates. That's the key question moving forwards.

I fear though, we are looking at a months' long crisis rather than some sudden change in the governments in Caracas because frankly, Nicolas Maduro

has Moscow on its side and that brings money and a sense, perhaps, of disproportionate security. I didn't meet anybody really inside Venezuela

who didn't, from the daily challenges they face think it was for urgent change. Back to you.

LU STOUT: Got it. So we have to wait and see in terms of protests turned up on Wednesday, on the military's allegiance and as you point out, in your

package, an exclusive report from inside Venezuela, this was a crisis that was years in making. Nick Paton Walsh, reporting live for us. Thank you

so much for your reporting.

Now, a critical battle for political power is under way in the U.K. as you know, and on Tuesday, lawmakers debate Theresa May's new Brexit plan, but

much more critically, they also vote on alternative suggestions.

[08:10:05]

LU STOUT: At stake here is Mrs. May's control over the process itself. If passed, some of the amendments could shift control to Parliament, giving it

the power to block, delay or renegotiate the deal.

Bianca Nobilo is outside the Parliament in London, and she joins us now and Bianca, you know, ahead of tomorrow's vote, we need a reminder or reset

here of all these amendments that are being discussed and Theresa May's task at hand here. She needs to get some sort of a plan. She has to

deliver something to get it past all the MPs.

BIANCA NOBILO, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, exactly, and actually, I was speaking to somebody in Parliament last week who said never has there been

this level of interest in arcane Parliamentary procedures and amendments, but now, they are critical.

And really, the only thing that has the power to shape the Brexit process from here on out. Now, there are several amendments that are really under

the spotlight in the British news and in fact, about 14, 15, of which are being tabled by MPs, but the key ones that people are talking about, most

in Westminster are the first focuses on the backstop. So this is an issue which Theresa May's own parties, her Brexiteers have the most problems with

when it comes to her deal.

So they have tabled amendments which would see either the removal of the backstop, which is this insurance policy to ensure no hard border between

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland or some sort of alternative arrangement to replace that.

Then, you have on the other side, Members of Parliament from across parties including Labour's who tabled the amendment that is seeking to try and

ensure that a no-deal Brexit becomes illegal. So that would mean that if a deal hasn't been approved by the Houses of Parliament by the 26th of

February that Brexit would need to be extended.

So the U.K. would then request an extension of Article 50 from the European Union. Now, both of those things, even if agreed by the House of Commons

then require the E.U. to get behind them. So who knows even if there was an amendment that garnered support to remove the backstop, we don't know if

the E.U. would ever agree to something along those lines and similarly, we don't know for certain whether or not the E.U. would actually grant an

extension of Article 50.

So a number of moving parts here, but a huge week and all eyes on those amendments.

LU STOUT: Yes, so many moving parts, another big Brexit battle ahead. It's taking place tomorrow. Bianca Nobilo reporting live for us, thank

you.

In the U.S., 800,000 Federal workers, they are heading back to work now that the government shutdown is over, at least for now. But it may not

stay open for long. President Trump is telling the "Wall Street Journal" he is skeptical that Congress can work out a deal on funding a border wall

by February the 15th. That is when government funding would run out again if lawmakers don't find common ground.

Mr. Trump speculates the odds for striking a deal before that date are less than 50/50 -- his words. Joe Johns joins us now from the White House and

Joe, good morning, the shutdown there in America is over, but the clock is ticking. Is there a solution that Congress can offer that the President

will like?

JOE JOHNS, SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, CNN: I can say there are multiple paths, but no easy solution, at least so far. As you indicated in

the lead-in to me, the President of the United States understands that there could be a negotiated solution with the Democratically controlled

House of Representatives along with the Republican controlled Senate, but he is very pessimistic about that, putting the odds at 50/50 in an

interview with the "Wall Street Journal."

It is very concerning at least for Republicans because of course, the issue here is the President's signature campaign promise and a question of

whether now he will be able to get something through.

So a second solution obviously for this White House is if you can't get a negotiations solution, perhaps try an emergency declaration. This is

something the White House has been talking about for a long time. Not clear at all that that is going to work either simply because if the

President were to declare an emergency attempting to use money from a variety of different pots around the government, he might not otherwise

have access to, Democrats have promised that they would go ahead and try to block that in the United States courts.

Still, the President's acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney has indicated the President might very well try that route. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICK MULVANEY, ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF TO PRESIDENT TRUMP: We have been working on this for months. We have been hoping for months to do it

through legislation with Democrats because that's the right way for the government to function, but at the end of the day, the President's

commitment is to defend the nation and he'll do it either with or without Congress.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: So multiple tracks on this and no easy path. They have got three weeks before the government could shut down again - Kristie.

LU STOUT: So the shutdown is over, but not for long and that emergency declaration is still on the table. Joe Johns, reporting live for us. Joe,

thank you.

[08:15:05]

LU STOUT: Turning now to the 2020 race for U.S. President. The Democratic field is already the most diverse group of contenders in modern political

history and we are likely to see even more announce that they are running.

California Senator Kamala Harris officially launched her campaign in her hometown of Oakland on Sunday where she promised to be a fighter for the

people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAMALA HARRIS, U.S. SENATOR, CALIFORNIA, DEMOCRAT: We are here at this moment in time because we must answer a fundamental question, who are we?

Who are we as Americans? So, let's answer that question to the world and to each other right here and right now. America, we are better than this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Meanwhile, the former Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz announce that he is seriously considering a run for the White House as a third party

candidate. Some Democrats fear that could take away just enough votes from the Democratic nominee to ensure President Trump's re-election and CNN's

Jeff Zeleny reports that Hillary Clinton is not closing the door to a possible run in 2020.

But a close Clinton friend says this quote, "It would surprise me greatly if she actually did it." You're watching news stream, and still to come,

police on high alert after deadly attacks on a church in the Southern Philippines. And a bombshell, "New York Times" report claims that the U.S.

is upping the ante against Huawei, how Washington is reportedly pressuring allies to act against the Chinese tech firm.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: And this just in to CNN. We've been working to confirm this. United States and Afghan Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the

framework of a peace deal. Now, the two groups have been in negotiation talks over the past several days.

As part of the proposed agreement, the insurgent group would vow to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a hub for terrorism and in turn, the U.S.

military would withdraw. But the American envoy to Afghanistan says quote, "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed," unquote.

Now, police in the Philippines, they are on high alert nationwide after two deadly bombings at a church over the weekend. Twenty people were killed.

The attacks happened at the Catholic Cathedral on Jolo Island in Sulu province. It's in the region of Mindanao that is home to a number of

insurgent groups including the Abu Sayyaf.

Now, ISIS claimed responsibility for this attack and earlier, I spoke to CNN's Matt Rivers in the Philippines and I asked if it is likely that that

group is to blame?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT RIVERS, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, I mean, we need to say it straight off, Kristie that we have no way - CNN has no way to independently verify

those claims, so we don't know whether those claims are credible.

[08:20:06]

RIVERS: They did mention that there were a pair of suicide bombings which is different than what we've officially heard from the government, but also

the government here has not said who they think is definitively responsible for these bombings.

So we're not really sure if that ISIS claim is credible at this point. But what we are sure of is that there are people in this part of the

Philippines who have a strong liking for ISIS. In fact, there are terrorist groups - a terrorist group called Abu Sayyaf that has been around

in the Philippines for a long time, but had recently pledged allegiance to ISIS that would certainly be able to carry out attacks like this one as

they have carried out other attacks that have been deadly in the past.

So that's certainly one of the suspects behind this, although again, the government hasn't said exactly what's going on in terms of who they think

is responsible. But the other thing that we should talk about here that is prompting a lot of speculation into the motivation behind this attack is a

referendum vote that took place last Monday, Kristie.

Where basically voters in this part of the Philippines went to the polls to vote on a plan that was created by the government and separatist groups in

the region. The thought there would be to create a newly self-administered region in this part of the Philippines with the hope that more autonomy

could make this traditionally very violent part of the Philippines more peaceful and safer for the people that live there.

That referendum did eventually pass; however, not everyone was in favor of that, and so there's a thought and the government hasn't confirmed this,

but there is a thought that those twin explosions could be retaliation for the outcome of that referendum.

LU STOUT: So a number of reasons why this terrible attack could have taken place. And now, we're waiting for the government's response and just to

see how forceful it is going to be. You know, a day after this vicious attack, the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit

Jolo, has he given any sign, any indication on how he plans to respond to these bombings?

RIVERS: Well, he has said that he is outraged by this and we know that President Duterte is not one to mince words and we also know that he is not

afraid to commit government forces to battle terrorist groups if those terrorist groups who are indeed responsible for these bombings.

I mean, look at what the Philippine Army did in the City of Marawi which was under siege by Islamic militants for months in 2017. He forcefully

spent or he committed Philippines Army troops for months to try and get those militants out of the city, and we also know that he's not afraid of

violence with the drug war that he has undertaken ever since taking power here in the Philippines.

So he says he's outraged. Officially, the terror alert has been raised here in the Philippines, but in terms of concrete policy steps, we're not

sure exactly what he plans to do quite yet.

LU STOUT: Got it. Matt Rivers reporting from Clark in the Philippines. Matt, thank you.

Now, the "New York Times" is reporting the Trump administration is engaging in a global campaign to pressure its allies to ban Huawei as a 5G network

supplier. The report claims that the U.S. has threatened Poland that future deployment of American troops could depend on the country's

collaboration with Huawei.

Germany is also feeling the heat with U.S. officials warning that the company could pose a security threat to the NATO alliance. The "Times"

also reports the White House is drafting an executive order which would ban U.S. companies from using Chinese origin equipment in critical telecom

networks.

David Singer is a CNN political and national security analyst and co-author of this report. He joins us live now from Washington via Skype. David,

welcome back, good to see you. You and your colleagues, this is a fascinating report. You have uncovered more details about America's 5G

arms race with China. Why does this matter? Why is this technology considered a threat?

DAVID SINGER, POLITICAL AND NATIONAL ANALYST, CNN: Kristie, great to be back on with you, and the reason that 5G has become such a flash point is

not simply the U.S.-China trade differences or even their political differences. It's a recognition that over the next six months, countries

around the world, particularly in Europe are going to be making critical decisions about who is building these fifth generation or 5G networks.

And it's on these very high speed networks which will - you'll see immediately in the speed in which you get Wi-Fi on your smartphone and

pages come up and so forth but which actually is really designed to connect the Internet of Things.

It's the future of these networks that has Washington most concerned because they fear that if Huawei builds all of them, Huawei is going to be

under existing Chinese law that would require them to cooperate any time the Chinese authorities told them to cut a network off, turn over some

information.

And so they've begun this very quiet campaign to basically bifurcate the world and keep the West out of Huawei's hands.

[08:25:10]

LU STOUT: So what is going to happen next? Because this week is a big week for U.S.-China relations. I mean, the trade talks are kicking off

again this week. Will this reporting on how the U.S. has launched this campaign against Huawei and of course, the fate of the Huawei CFO in Canada

and her potential extradition - is all of these going to complicate the trade war and these crucial talks?

SINGER: I suspect they will. I mean, I think the guesswork is that the Chinese are going to come back with some kind of deal to try to basically

buy off the United States by an agreement to purchase a certain number of American goods or services or something over the next five years. And the

President might take that. Because anything that gives him a big number and a sale, he might well have.

What we were writing about on the "Times," and it's a very long story and your viewers can find it on the "Times" website, was basically about the

much longer conflict here about who builds the essence of these networks. And I'm not sure that in these trade talks, the President is really going

to go take that on. It's hard to tell.

So for right now, there is this sort of covert war underway in which the Chinese go out to Latin America, Africa, some places in Europe, try to use

their power and influence and price cutting to build these networks and the Americans try to block them or come up with an alternative.

LU STOUT: Is the United States turning Huawei into a boogeyman here? Is this - and the term has been used out there, is this is a new red scare or

is this a real threat? Does Huawei pose a legitimate security threat?

SINGER: You know, it's a great question, Kristie and it's one that raised in the story with the comparisons to the red scare era. There are some who

believe this as simply an extension of the trade disputes and there may be some element of truth to that. But there's also a long term infrastructure

issue here where the Chinese have recognized that the place where they need advantage and the place where they're going to be most likely be able to

deploy their artificial intelligence, quantum computing capabilities and so forth are in places where they dominate the networks.

So there is a real long-term concern. But when you go back and you look at the specific charges about Huawei, there are relatively few that go right

to any evidence that the company has manipulated anything. Obviously, a Huawei employee was arrested for spying in Poland two weeks ago and fired

by Huawei, but you have seen that happen with other companies as well.

There is some material in the story about the redirection of internet traffic to China, not by Huawei but actually by China telecom and that

gives you an example of what people are concerned about, traffic being quietly re-routed, routers being silently controlled from afar.

LU STOUT: It's a gripping story, new details coming out, U.S. versus China over Huawei, now a new arms race over 5G, next generation connectivity.

David, thank you so much for joining us. David Singer of the "New York Times" there. You're watching "News Stream" and keep it here right here on

the program, because up next, why a U.S. lawmaker is calling China's reeducation camps for Uyghurs, in his words, concentration camps.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:30:09]

LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong, you're watching "News Stream" and these are your world headlines. More massive protests are planned for

Venezuela this week. Self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guiado is urging supporters to hit the streets and a show of force against President

Nicolas Maduro. Guiado also told the "Washington Post" his opposition party was in talks with military officials about ousting the embattled

President.

Civil Defense authorities in Brazil say the death toll from Friday's dam collapse has jumped to 58. They warn that the number will likely rise

further. Rescue workers are searching for hundreds of missing people. Vale - that's the company that owns the mine faces heavy criticism over the

disaster.

U.N. human rights experts have arrived in Turkey to investigate the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The leader of the investigation is due to

the Istanbul's Chief Prosecutor on Tuesday. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in the Turkish city last October. Saudi Arabia has

charged 11 people in Khashoggi's death, but denies allegations that the Crown Prince directed the murder.

A top U.S. lawmaker is comparing China's internment facilities of Uyghur minorities to concentration camps. Beijing refers to them as reeducation

centers and they are spread across Xinjiang, an autonomous region in Western China that is home to millions of the largely Muslim ethnic

majority.

Senators Marco Rubio and Bob Menendez have introduced the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, the bipartisan bill seeks to sanction Chinese officials

involved in the detention program under the Global Magnitsky Act. It would allow the FBI also to investigate if Chinese state security have been

intimidating Uyghurs living in the U.S., and the bill aims to help the United Nations gain full access to Xinjiang.

I spoke with Senator Menendez about the legislation, here is our conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

LU STOUT: Senator Menendez, thank you so much for joining us, and let's first talk about these centers in Xinjiang. The Chinese government calls

these vocational training or education centers. How would you describe them?

BOB MENENDEZ, U.S. SENATOR, NEW JERSEY, DEMOCRAT: I'd describe them more as concentration camps. There's nearly, we believe, a million Uyghurs who

are in these reeducation camps which really is a violation of their human rights and international law.

As such, I believe we need to speak out to ultimately pressure China to end these camps and observe the human rights of the Uyghurs, and so that's why

our legislation seeks to do a variety of things to try to accomplish that goal.

LU STOUT: You call these concentration camps and you're putting the pressure on China with this Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. But why now?

Why the urgency to crack down on what's happening in Xinjiang?

MENENDEZ: Well, I think that we see a set of circumstances that has come to our knowledge, that has grown dramatically, as I say nearly potentially

a million Uyghurs in these concentration camps.

It may be a prelude to China thinking beyond the Uyghurs and the Muslim minority that lives there and saying anyone who opposes the government

could ultimately go to a quote-unquote "reeducation camp," which is really a concentration camp.

So I think now is the time for the international community to create the emphasis and the pressure to have China understand that that is in

violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that it is in violation of international law and to pressure China to change course.

So our legislation for example would allow and help U.N. entities to have full access to Xinjiang so that they can ultimately see for themselves.

[08:35:06]

MENENDEZ: It would call upon the administration to consider using the Global Magnitsky law which is a law that can sanction human rights

violators, in this case, against the Uyghurs. It also is to make sure that American companies that are doing business in that region are not complicit

in anything that deals with the concentration camps of Uyghurs and a series of other actions that we believe are important to stand up for human rights

and democracy in China.

Not just as it relates to the Uyghurs, but the potential that in fact, China considers this as a policy that they may effect upon other members of

their country, other citizens of their country if in fact they don't stay in line.

LU STOUT: Now, here at CNN International, we broadcast directly into China, into Beijing. So assuming that we're not being blacked out, Senator

Menendez, what is your message to the Chinese government?

MENENDEZ: My message to the Chinese government is that oppressing your people does not lead to the great nation that you desire to be. And so you

know, you should be able to accept that there are differences as long as those differences are peaceful and you should allow the Uyghurs and others

who have a different view to freely express that without the concern that the state is at risk.

And I would hope that the Chinese government moves in that direction because then it can move towards being the great nation it aspires to be.

LU STOUT: That's your message to China. But will China change? I mean, do you expect this law, again, the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act will

change Chinese behavior?

MENENDEZ: Well, look, it is my hope that it will have them rethink their policy. It is my hope that it will change it. It is my hope that it is

the beginning of an international effort so that China understands that their actions are in violation of international human rights laws and that

as a nation who seeks to be a leader in the world, it must also submit itself to the international norms of the world.

And so, I think that if we get a U.N. system that broadens the base of those who call for these types of changes in China, which are changes,

while they are not an American view, but a view of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed by all nations, then ultimately at the

end of the day, we can achieve the goal.

I don't say it will happen overnight, but these efforts, I believe China does care about its international reputation and I think that it will put

this among the things that they are going to consider about how they move forward.

LU STOUT: All right, Senator Robert Menendez, we appreciate your time. Thank you for joining me.

MENENDEZ: Great to be with you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Now China had previously denied the existence of these camps, but the government response has evolved from denial to characterizing them

as vocational training camps aimed at eliminating extremism.

You're watching "News Stream" and we will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:00]

LU STOUT: Love it or hate it, "Baby Shark" is here to stay. The infectious children's song made by a firm in South Korea has been swimming

up the global music charts dominating YouTube and yes, captivating both kids and adults all around the world. Paula Hancocks exploring how "Baby

Shark" became such a runaway success.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CORRESPONDENT, CNN (voice over): If you have young children, this probably isn't the first time you are hearing this song.

"Baby Shark," the latest musical phenomenon to come out of South Korea and one of the few children's songs to hit the Top 40 on both the U.S. and U.K.

charts.

With more than 2.2 billion views on YouTube so far, this song is insanely popular. SmartStudy, the company behind the mania says it since created

100 different versions of the song in 11 languages. "Baby Shark" has conquered the globe.

No one really knows where it started, a hook song that was always around, I am told, this version created in 2015.

I asked the man behind the latest craze if he knew it was gold when he first made it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RYAN LEE, CFO/CO-FOUNDER, SMARTSTUDY: At that time, I think, no it's good, quite good. But we - almost one ever expected it would make such a huge

boom all over the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANCOCKS (voice over): Helping the craze, the countless parodies popping up online. This R&B version by singer Desmond Dennis, a dance version by

remix producer, Franz Vargas. And deviating slightly from the original, a heavy metal version by Norwegian musician, Leo Moracchioli.

It has sparked live shows in Singapore and Malaysia. This one in Seoul is now in its fourth season. So what is it about a family of sharks trying to

eat two small children that small children love so much?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Speaking in foreign language). It is because it's cute.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking in foreign language). Who is the cutest?

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Speaking in foreign language). Baby.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Speaking in foreign language). I like blue Baby Shark the best.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking in foreign language). How was it to listen to the song?

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Speaking in foreign language). Hold on. Put it down here. Baby Shark doodoodoo.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HANCOCKS (voice over): You know it's big when U.S. talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres does her own version of "Baby Shark" or when James Corden sings

his interpretation on "The Late, Late Night Show."

No one really knows why this is one of the most watched videos in YouTube history. What we do know is you will probably be humming it the rest of

the day.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LU STOUT: It is your earworm and we apologize for that. And that is "News Stream." I'm Kristie Lu Stout, but don't go anywhere, "World Sport" with

Rhiannon Jones is next.

(SPORTS)

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