Americans have ‘thin’ awareness of situation in Hong Kong, former consul general says

Kurt Tong, the former US envoy to Hong Kong, has expressed concern over the lack of understanding among Americans about the current situation in Hong Kong. He has received inquiries from business executives questioning the safety of visiting the city. He also warned that if the national security imperatives of Hong Kong obstruct the free flow of information or internet business, it could lead to an exodus of American businesses from the financial hub. Tong, who served as the United States consul general in Hong Kong from 2016 to 2019, is currently a managing partner at The Asia Group, a consulting firm based in Washington.

During a luncheon in Hong Kong, he shared that many Americans have expressed their sympathy to him upon learning that he used to reside in the city. He often finds himself spending more time than expected explaining the actual situation in Hong Kong, its advantages and disadvantages, its complexity, and its role in US-China relations. However, he lamented that the awareness among Americans about Hong Kong remains extremely limited.

Tong criticized the US media for focusing their coverage on national security trials and political changes in Hong Kong, while neglecting other aspects of the city's society and economy. He also blamed the US State Department for providing an inaccurate description of the travel risks to Hong Kong, leading to business executives questioning the safety of traveling to the city. He suggested that Hong Kong should invite think tanks and other opinion leaders from Washington and elsewhere to visit the city, despite the likelihood of receiving mixed reviews.