The United States Consul General in Hong Kong no longer requires China’s stamp of approval to meet officials in the semi-autonomous city, as the restriction imposed during the tense Washington-Beijing relations has been eased.
Since November, Beijing must only be given prior notice, rather than the previous arrangement, where the diplomat needed to ask permission from China’s foreign affairs office in the city before holding such meetings. According to The Associated Press on Tuesday, the US Consulate in Hong Kong revealed that the new regulation aims to facilitate the Consul General in having direct exchanges with officials in Hong Kong as part of standard diplomatic practice.
The new change replaces the previous rule that was introduced in 2020 to limit diplomatic exchanges during high tensions between China and the US. The consulate added that the Consul General currently provides the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong with five days’ notice before meeting local government officials and government educational institutions, as per the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs requirements.
Hong Kong leader John Lee welcomed the new relaxation of the rule, emphasizing that the Hong Kong government would appreciate any exchanges that could enhance business, cultural ties, and works that would help promote the city.
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