Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
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.