Latest news with #USConsulate
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
The top US diplomat in Hong Kong criticizes China and the city for curtailing freedoms
HONG KONG — Hong Kong's top American diplomat said on Thursday that the policies of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments have curtailed freedoms, pointing to the cases of jailed prominent activist Jimmy Lai and what he called 'transnational regression.' At a reception for the U.S. Independence Day, U.S. Consul General Gregory May, who will join the U.S. Embassy in Beijing next month after a three-year term in Hong Kong, told reporters he is a 'big fan' of Hong Kong, and that its people and spirit made the city a good place.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
US envoy in Hong Kong says little chance to meet local officials amid his tenure
America's outgoing top diplomat in Hong Kong has said he had little opportunity to meet local officials during his tenure, while also noting that the implementation of the national security law five years ago remains a source of friction. Speaking at an American Independence Day event on Thursday, United States Consul General Gregory May also confirmed an earlier report from the Post that he would soon depart Hong Kong to take on a senior role in the country's embassy in Beijing. May, who was first posted to Hong Kong in 2022, said he was leaving with an 'absolute super positive' impression of the city, while acknowledging that political differences had continued to hamper bilateral ties. 'I think Hong Kong is a great city,' he said. 'What is not great is the policies of the mainland Chinese government [and] the Hong Kong government that have eroded freedom,' he said. His tenure has been marked by the erosion of bilateral ties between the US and Hong Kong following the enactment of the city's national security law in 2020 and the wider geopolitical struggle between Washington and Beijing. Relations have taken a further nosedive since the election of US President Donald Trump, with his administration imposing tariffs and a fresh wave of sanctions on Hong Kong officials during his first six months in office.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Departing US top official in Hong Kong criticises reach of national security law
HONG KONG, June 26 (Reuters) - The top American diplomat in Hong Kong on Thursday criticised Hong Kong's use of the national security law to jail prominent campaigners for democracy, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, and engage in the "transnational repression" of activists abroad. Gregory May, the departing consul general of the United States in Hong Kong, who is coming to the end of a three-year stint in the city, spoke about recent turbulence in the U.S-China relationship and highlighted various "friction points" including Lai's case. Lai, 77, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the national security law, as well as a separate charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material. He has been held in solitary confinement for more than 1,500 days since December 2020. "President Trump himself has mentioned Jimmy Lai several times now and he's very concerned about the fate of Mr. Lai," May told reporters after a speech at a U.S. Independence Day reception. "But I just want to emphasise the U.S. government concern is not just on this one individual. There are many other people, unfortunately, in Hong Kong who are in jail for peaceful expression of political views." Lai, whose family say his health is fragile, faces a possible life sentence under a China-imposed national security law that was implemented in 2020 in response to mass pro-democracy proteststhe year before. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously said he would "one hundred percent" get Lai, who also has British citizenship, out of the country. May, who will be leaving to take up a position as deputy head of the U.S. mission in Beijing, also criticised attempts by Hong Kong authorities to pressure overseas Hong Kong activists including the issuing of arrest warrants for national security violations and offering bounties of HK$1 million ($127,393) each. "The other friction point in my time here has been transnational repression, and it's very disappointing to see over my three years here, attempts by Hong Kong authorities to enforce the national security law within the borders of the United States against U.S. persons," May said. These are "attempts to restrict the free speech of people in the United States and unfortunately we're seeing Hong Kong authorities go after the family members of these overseas activists and that's a very disturbing development," he added. On the broader China-U.S. relationship, May said Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping both wanted to get the bilateral relationship on "a positive track", a goal he would work towards in Beijing under the new U.S. ambassador to China David Perdue. ($1 = 7.8497 Hong Kong dollars)
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
US Consulate Condemns Hong Kong's Government for 'Repression' of Independence Day Celebrations
The US consulate in Hong Kong on Tuesday condemned the city's government for what it called repression of US Independence Day celebrations after local education authorities reportedly cautioned teachers and students not to attend such events organized by American diplomats. The consulate accused the Hong Kong government of interfering with US Consulate General–hosted events, saying, 'US embassies and consulates worldwide celebrate Independence Day every year by hosting receptions and other festivities. We condemn the Hong Kong government's repression of US Independence Day celebrations.' It added, 'Its attempts to characterize these activities as unlawful only further reveals its insecurity and fear of freedom.' The consulate's criticism came days after a Facebook page, Edu Lancet, reported that the city's education authorities had sent 'friendly reminders' to multiple schools asking their teachers not to casually join the consulate's events and be cautious about violating the national security law. The reminder also asked the schools to discourage their students from joining such events, it said. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claims by the Facebook page, which often provides updates about the education sector. A local English-language newspaper, the South China Morning Post, also reported that the authorities had reminded schools to be vigilant about any attempts to promote US Independence Day celebrations on campus. The city's education bureau has not immediately commented. Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang previously accused the founder of the page, Hans Yeung, of seizing opportunities to incite division in society in a media interview published in March. Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 following massive anti-government protests in 2019, saying the legislation was necessary to return stability to the city. Under the law, dozens of leading activists were prosecuted or jailed, while others fled. Fears about the law drove many middle-class families and young professionals to emigrate elsewhere.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
US consulate condemns Hong Kong's government for 'repression' of Independence Day celebrations
HONG KONG — The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong on Tuesday condemned the city's government for what it called repression of U.S. Independence Day celebrations after local education authorities reportedly cautioned teachers and students not to attend such events organized by American diplomats. The consulate accused the Hong Kong government of interfering with U.S. Consulate General-hosted events, saying U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide celebrate Independence Day every year by hosting receptions and other festivities.
