Beijing’s top diplomat in HK sets out red lines for new US Consul General
Key Takeaways
- China's representative in Hong Kong warned the new US Consul General, Julie Eadeh, against interfering in the city's internal affairs.
- The warning included 'four don'ts,' specifically prohibiting meetings with certain individuals and collusion with 'anti-China forces.'
- The US State Department dismissed the warning, asserting that its diplomats are mandated to advance US interests globally as standard practice.
- The incident highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions between the US and Beijing regarding democratic backsliding and security laws in Hong Kong.
- The Chinese official cited Eadeh's past meetings with pro-democracy figures as justification for the warning.
Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong, Cui Jianchun, issued a stern warning to the new US Consul General, Julie Eadeh, urging her not to interfere in the Chinese-run territory’s internal affairs during a meeting on Tuesday. Cui explicitly instructed Eadeh to avoid meeting certain individuals, colluding with 'anti-China forces,' funding destabilizing activities, and interfering in national security cases, referencing Eadeh’s prior interactions with pro-democracy figures in 2019. In response, the US Department of State dismissed the warning, stating that US diplomats routinely advance American interests worldwide, including in Hong Kong. This diplomatic clash underscores the continuing friction between Washington and Beijing over democratic issues in Hong Kong, alongside broader trade and Taiwan concerns. Governance in the special administrative region has become increasingly authoritarian since its 1997 handover, marked by the 2020 National Security Law and subsequent suppression of dissent. Prior to the meeting, Chinese state media outlets had already criticized Eadeh, labeling her a promoter of 'colour revolution.'
