Outgoing US envoy says little chance to meet Hong Kong officials during term

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.

But United States Consul General Gregory May’s remarks prompted a rebuttal from the local government on Thursday night, which accused the envoy of “completely disregarding the rule of law” and “deliberately misleading the public with false and biased remarks” about the city’s efforts to safeguard national security.

Speaking at an American Independence Day event earlier in the day, 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.

He also expressed optimism amid recent geopolitical tensions that the US and Hong Kong could “overcome the latest challenges”.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah, who served as the local government’s representative at the event, meanwhile, took the chance to call on Washington to drop the “unfair and unjustified” additional tariffs on Hong Kong, a free port.

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 affect ties.

“I think Hong Kong is a great city,” he said in a subsequent question and answer session with the media.