Opinion | Welcome to HK Mr. Gregory May: China needs you to help steer the stale relationship back on track

By Augustus K. Yeung

INTRODUCTION

Since the trade war initiated by former president Donald Trump, and the war of words chosen by Joe Biden's administration both the US-led West and China have appeared to be wanting in courtesy. Feeling tired of it all, looking for a way out of this doldrum, the US is now making a positive move: Anthony Blinken, the Secretary of States gave a speech at George Washington University, praising Chinese students, "thanking" them for their "contributions" to American society.

And now, the US State Department has selected and is sending one of its best diplomats as an envoy, who is in possession of a near-perfect resume to match his new challenging post. The intention is clear: the United States wants to get down to real business of properly engaging China, and not mess things up as before.

Therefore, it is important for Beijing and Hong Kong to study him well – and accord him the friendliest treatment that America is treating Qin Gang, China's flamboyant ambassador to the US.

Qin is very popular in America; the Chinese side should work closely with Gregory May, to build a strong US-China bridge; consequently, securing a stable relationship.

Who's Gregory May? What's His Past Portfolio? Why's Washington Sending Him Over?

The United States has named Gregory May as its new consul general for Hong Kong and Macau. Reported the Post.

May was previously US consul general in Shenyang from 2016 to 2019 and the deputy chief of mission of the US embassy in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 2019, before returning to America recently. He arrived in Hong Kong on Friday, September 16.

A source familiar with the US State Department's thinking told the Post earlier this month that the country had sought to send a career diplomat with vast experience across the wider Chinese region to avoid stirring further tensions between Washington and officials in Hong Kong and Beijing.

Before May's appointments, he served in the US consulate in Guangzhou and the embassy in Beijing. A Texas native, May was a Taiwan-based journalist from 1993 to 1996, and assistant director and research associate in Chinese studies at Washington think tank Center for the National Interest, then called the Nixon Center, before going into foreign service in 2000.

May's Challenge is Something He Can Handle Well, If Given China's Full Support

"May's appointment came at a challenging time for relations between Hong Kong and Washington, as the imposition of the national security law in 2020 and subsequent US sanctions on local officials chilled political ties."

The Hong Kong government's controversial policies on Covid-19 have also been criticized by foreign businesses, including the American Chamber of Commerce.

US data shows nearly 1,300 American companies operate in Hong Kong, most of them either regional or headquarters offices. As of July, there were some 70,000 US citizens living in the city, a drop from 85,000 in 2021,

While May's appointment did not require approval from Beijing or Hong Kong, his role will be subject to increasing scrutiny from the central government. (Here is exactly where he needs China's full support.)

"Since late 2020, US diplomats have been subject to new sweeping limits by China's foreign ministry. They are required to seek permission from the government before meeting Hong Kong officials, members of educational institutions and representatives of the city's political parties."

May's predecessor, Hanscom Smith, said Beijing "can't have it both ways" with Hong Kong in his departure speech this July. "Attempting to maintain Hong Kong's unique economic and financial systems while degrading its political institutions is not a viable strategy," he was quoted as saying.

"May's knowledge of the mainland government and Mandarin skills were expected to prevent further escalation in political tensions, the source familiar with the State Department told the Post." (SCMP)

CONCLUSION

In an interview with Voice of America in late April, George Friedman, the US geopolitical forecaster and strategist, said that "I think the reality that China needs to face is that there are no East or West problems, but China and the United States."

He suggested that the US is willing to have a reasonable discussion with China and find a solution, implying that China was not.

While this gets to the nub of the matter in rightly pointing out that the crux of the problem is the failure of the two countries to communicate, he wrongly puts the blame for it on China, claiming that it chooses to present the US as hostile for "internal political reasons".

Now, with Gregory May as the US consul general for Hong Kong, the two superpowers can shelve their blame playbook, and concertedly focus on US-China bilateral relations to be back on the right track.

Now, what is the new reality worth working for?

With Gregory May's appointment, China can profile his real character: He has been a journalist, a think tank member, and a diplomat whose footprints covered northeastern China, and from there to Beijing, Guangzhou, Taiwan and now Hong Kong. There is no doubt that he is a man of great knowledge when it comes to China studies; his experiences in dealing with Chinese, both officials and the public is beyond doubt; his mastery of Mandarin, the official Chinese language is a great asset for him who serves as a bridge in between.

The implication is that: Washington has now sent one of its best candidates, in its best attempt to establish a meaningful dialogue with China. And more!

After his mission, Gregory May might write a book or two based on his experience and knowledge of China, and start working like Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister, and Kishore Mahbubani, the dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School.

That's where his great contributions come in; the Beijing and Hong Kong governments should try to seize this opportunity to turn Gregory May into "a friend of China".

 

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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