Latest news with #GregoryMay
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
New US diplomat to Hong Kong expected to be in place by autumn
Hong Kong is set to welcome a new top US diplomat as early as the end of this summer, according to the country's acting consul general in the city, who also indicated Washington's keen interest in increasing engagement with the local administration. David Schlaefer also confirmed on Tuesday that there was only one candidate for the position, previously held by Gregory May, and said that mainland China had not yet expressed any objections to the nominee. The Post previously reported that Julie Eadeh, a career member of the US Senior Foreign Service and current US Consul General in Istanbul, was expected to be the next US Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau. While serving as the political section chief at the US consulate in Hong Kong and Macau during the 2019 anti-government protests, she met with opposition activists. This led to criticism from the Chinese government, among other officials, for alleged interference in the mainland's internal affairs. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the United States will require the mainland's permission for Eadeh to assume her duties. A state is not obliged to provide reasons if it refuses to issue a consular certificate. 'We're still very hopeful that everything will be resolved soon and that we will have the new CG, whoever that is going to be, in place as soon as possible, hopefully by the end of the summer, and hopefully before the beginning of the fall,' said Schlaefer, who was in attendance at a reception organised by the city's Legislative Council for foreign consul generals.
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
US-Hong Kong ties ‘strong as ever' despite Beijing, Washington friction
America's outgoing top diplomat in Hong Kong has said people-to-people ties between the United States and the city have remained strong, despite disagreements on 'so many issues' between his country and China. Advertisement US Consul General Gregory May also said he wished to see Hong Kong retain its unique characteristics when he visited in the future, in a farewell video posted on the consulate's social media page on Friday. 'Even though the US, Hong Kong and mainland Chinese governments disagree on so many issues, Hong Kong people have just been tremendously friendly and welcoming,' he said in the video. 'I am ending my assignment here convinced that the people-to-people bonds between Americans and Hongkongers are as strong as ever.' May also praised Hongkongers for being hard-working and resilient, and said it was their spirit that made the city so special. Advertisement He summed up his three-year term in the city, saying he had made many friends, explored Hong Kong's temples, festivals, beaches and local eating spots, and enjoyed learning Cantonese, although he did not speak it as fluently as he had hoped.
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
US career diplomat Julie Eadeh tipped to be next consul general in Hong Kong
Julie Eadeh, a career member of the US Senior Foreign Service and now the US consul general in Istanbul, is expected to take over the position from Gregory May, according to a source familiar with the matter. A second source said Eadeh's 'name' had been 'presented to the relevant Chinese authorities'. 'Now she is waiting for the green light from Beijing,' the source said. Eadeh was the political section chief at the US consulate in Hong Kong and Macau during the 2019 turmoil.
France 24
01-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Hong Kong rights record under fire as it marks China handover anniversary
The former British colony was handed over to China in 1997 under a "One Country, Two Systems" governance model, which guaranteed key freedoms and a high degree of autonomy not enjoyed on the mainland. July 1 in Hong Kong had been marked in previous years by demonstrations but authorities have cracked down on dissent after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019. Lee said "high-level security to safeguard high-quality development" was a top priority for his administration, noting the need to integrate into China's economic blueprint. The city this week also marked the fifth anniversary of Beijing's imposition of a sweeping national security law, under which 76 people have been convicted so far, imposed after the 2019 protests. Lee's government enacted a separate security law of its own in 2024 that authorities say is needed to restore order. "We have rebuilt a safe Hong Kong," Lee said in a speech. However, the European Union said on Monday "the repressive use of the National Security Law has undermined confidence in the rule of law and Hong Kong's international reputation". "The European Union regrets that additional national security legislation... introduced new offences, increased penalties and further empowered security authorities," it said in a statement. The League of Social Democrats, one of Hong Kong's last remaining opposition parties, disbanded on Sunday citing "immense political pressure" and concern for the safety of its members. It was the second pro-democracy party to announce plans to wind down this year, following the Democratic Party in February. Outgoing US consul general in Hong Kong Gregory May also criticised the Hong Kong government last week for using the security law to target overseas activists. Authorities say that Hong Kong residents continue to enjoy rights and freedoms guaranteed under its Basic Law constitution, although such rights are not absolute. Lee also said Hong Kong will speed up an ambitious plan to urbanise land near its border with China, a development known as the Northern Metropolis that will take up a third of Hong Kong's total area. The project has raised concerns over its environmental impact as well as its long-term burden on Hong Kong's public finances.
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
US Independence Day event no threat to Hong Kong security: consulate chief
HONG KONG: The top American diplomat in Hong Kong defended US Independence Day celebrations as 'perfectly normal' on Thursday after local education officials reportedly warned teachers and students to stay clear due to national security risks. Relations between Hong Kong and the United States frayed after Beijing imposed a national security law on the city in 2020, which critics say has quelled dissent and eroded rights, and ties have further strained during the latest US-China competition. US Consul General Gregory May said he was 'disappointed' as the consulate regularly interacts with schools. 'I challenge any of you to find anything about this event... that would in any way violate the national security of any country,' May told a reception marking the July 4th anniversary. Several schools got notices from education officials to keep pupils away from consulate-hosted US Independence Day events and avoid breaching the security law, local newspaper Ming Pao reported last week. The Education Bureau did not confirm or deny the report, only saying on Tuesday that 'schools have the responsibility to play a good gate-keeper role and to enhance the sensitivity of teachers and students to national security'. A US consulate spokesperson condemned the move as 'repression'. Guests at Thursday's reception included Hong Kong's commerce and economic development chief Algernon Yau and former city leader Donald Tsang. Pro-Beijing lawmaker Regina Ip, who convenes the government's cabinet, told AFP on Wednesday that the Bureau made an 'oversimplification, causing unnecessary concern'. May, who will soon become deputy head of the US embassy in Beijing, also bemoaned the treatment of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai and other 'political prisoners', saying Hong Kongers have been jailed for peaceful expression of views. Lai, 77, is in the middle of a lengthy trial for foreign collusion charges under the national security law and has been in custody since 2020. May criticised the Hong Kong government for 'transnational repression', referring to police bounties issued against 19 overseas pro-democracy activists. 'This is an attempt to restrict the free speech of people in the United States,' he said, adding that it was 'very disturbing' that authorities have targeted the activists' families in Hong Kong.
