Hong Kong has unique role in China-US ties
- Americans are returning to the city to live and do business, a clear sign that people-to-people exchanges can enhance relations between Beijing and Washington
Americans are apparently once again voting with their feet regarding Hong Kong. Reversing a recent decline, the number of US citizens living in the city is “bouncing back” this year, according to Washington’s top envoy in the city.
Many will be in step with US Consul General Gregory May’s assessment that this is “good news” for US-Hong Kong ties, which have suffered along with Washington and Beijing’s deteriorating relationship.
Speaking last Wednesday at a reception ahead of America’s July 4 Independence Day, May told the lively crowd, including businesspeople from both markets, that promotion of face-to-face academic and cultural exchanges between the US and Hong Kong had been among his top priorities since he took up his post last September.
He said he was pleased Hong Kong’s travel links with US destinations were returning to normal since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, and voiced confidence about more direct flights resuming by the end of the year.
The US envoy touched on more difficult issues when he spoke with reporters after the reception. He pledged to look for mutual understanding in areas where the two sides did not see “eye to eye”.
But inside, May’s focus was on people-to-people exchanges, a sentiment echoed by the Hong Kong government’s representative at the event. While it was telling that Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun was the highest-ranking city official attending, he carried a message about hopes for expanded US-Hong Kong trade based on mutual understanding and respect.
Americans returning to Hong Kong following recent dip, top US envoy in city says
That personal touch was recently on display when President Xi Jinping and his “old friend” Bill Gates met in Beijing on June 16. Xi told the Microsoft co-founder that “the foundation of China-US relations lies in the people.”
There is much work to do to repair bilateral relations. This month alone, there was a juxtaposition of Washington’s top US diplomat, Antony Blinken, holding talks in Beijing followed days later by US President Joe Biden’s controversial remarks about Xi.
But it is encouraging to see both sides talking. Next month, the US diplomatic mission in Hong Kong will mark 180 years in a city where East-meets-West credentials date back even longer. Hong Kong is a perfect place to open doors with a human touch.
