World

US Rejects China’s Warning to New Hong Kong Consul: What This Means for Trade Talks

US dismissed China‘s warning to US consul in HK. China urged non-interference in city’s affairs.

October 3, 2025, 9:07 AM

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Executive Summary

China’s senior diplomat in Hong Kong warned newly appointed U.S. Consul General Julie Eadeh against interfering in the city’s affairs, detailing “Four Don’ts” requirements.

The U.S. State Department dismissed China’s warning, affirming that U.S. diplomats globally advance national interests, a standard practice for diplomats worldwide.

This diplomatic exchange occurs at a sensitive time for U.S.-China relations, as President Trump seeks to finalize a trade deal, and Eadeh previously faced criticism from China during Trump’s first administration over meetings with Hong Kong student protest leaders.

The Story So Far

The current diplomatic friction is rooted in previous tensions from 2019 when U.S. diplomat Julie Eadeh, during President Donald Trump’s administration, drew criticism from Chinese authorities for meeting student leaders involved in Hong Kong protests, which China viewed as interference. This consistent Chinese sensitivity regarding perceived foreign intervention in Hong Kong’s affairs, especially following the 2019 unrest, underpins the recent warning and occurs at a sensitive juncture for broader U.S.-China relations as President Trump works to finalize a significant trade deal.

Why This Matters

The escalating diplomatic row, with China issuing explicit warnings to a U.S. diplomat in Hong Kong and the U.S. dismissing them, highlights growing tensions over Hong Kong’s autonomy and U.S. diplomatic activities. This friction could complicate ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations and the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping, underscoring China’s assertive stance on what it considers internal affairs.

Who Thinks What?

Cui Jianchun, China’s senior diplomat in Hong Kong, warned U.S. Consul General Julie Eadeh against interfering in the city’s affairs, urging her to adhere to non-interference norms and make a clean break with “anti-China forces.”

The U.S. State Department dismissed China’s warning, affirming that U.S. diplomats globally, including in Hong Kong, advance national interests as a standard practice for diplomats worldwide.

The U.S. State Department has dismissed a warning from China’s senior diplomat in Hong Kong to the recently appointed U.S. consul general, Julie Eadeh, against interfering in the affairs of the Chinese-ruled city. The State Department affirmed that U.S. diplomats globally advance national interests, a standard practice for diplomats worldwide, including in Hong Kong, following a statement from Cui Jianchun, China’s top diplomat in Hong Kong, on Thursday.

Diplomatic Tensions

Cui Jianchun issued a statement on Thursday, published on the website of his office, detailing a meeting with Eadeh on Tuesday. During this meeting, Cui reportedly lodged “solemn representations on her conducts since she assumed duties.” He urged Eadeh to “abide by fundamental norms governing international relations including non-interference in domestic affairs and make a clean break with anti-China forces.”

The statement outlined “Four Don’ts” requirements for Eadeh: avoiding meetings with certain individuals, refraining from colluding with “anti-China forces,” not instigating or funding activities undermining Hong Kong’s stability, and not interfering with national security cases in Hong Kong.

Background and Context

Eadeh, who took up her post in August, previously drew criticism from Chinese authorities in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first administration. At that time, official Chinese media criticized U.S. diplomats for contacts with student leaders involved in protests in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong newspaper, Ta Kung Pao, published a photograph of Eadeh, then with the consulate’s political section, meeting student leaders.

The State Department responded to the 2019 incident by criticizing Chinese authorities for leaking photos of a diplomat and their children’s names, describing these actions as those of a “thuggish regime” that had become “irresponsible to dangerous.”

Broader Implications

This latest diplomatic exchange occurs at a sensitive juncture for U.S.-China relations. President Trump is currently seeking to finalize a significant trade deal with China, and he is scheduled to meet with his counterpart, Xi Jinping, toward the end of the month.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the incident.