U.S. Consul General Faces Backlash Over Pro-Democracy Invitations
Julie Eadeh, the new U.S. consul general in Hong Kong and Macau, has faced heightened scrutiny from Beijing after reportedly inviting pro-democracy figures to her inaugural reception. This comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China over diplomatic relations in the region.
Eadeh was officially recognized by Beijing this week, despite her controversial history in the city. During the 2019 extradition bill protests, she was accused by pro-Beijing media of “colluding” with activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law after meeting them in public. Upon her arrival last month, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned her to respect China’s sovereignty, Hong Kong’s rule of law, and the principle of non-interference. Since then, her actions have been closely monitored.
Her inaugural reception sparked a fresh backlash when she reportedly invited former chief secretary Anson Chan and veteran democrat Emily Lau. Lau confirmed her attendance at the reception with a photo on social media, though neither the consulate nor Chan has publicly acknowledged whether the city’s former second-highest official was present. A spokesperson for the consulate stated that engaging with a wide range of individuals across society is routine and consistent with standard diplomatic practice observed by representatives of governments around the world.
As Super Typhoon Ragasa lashed Hong Kong, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office amplified criticism by sharing reports from Beijing-backed media outlets accusing Eadeh of hosting “anti-China” figures. The reports warned those who serve as agents for external forces to “watch themselves.” Pro-Beijing groups have long staged protests outside the consulate, a trend that intensified after 2019. Washington has repeatedly been accused of interference and of backing figures like jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, while sanctioning officials linked to Hong Kong’s national security crackdown.
Waste Charge Scheme Scrapped
After years of delays, the Hong Kong government confirmed this week that the municipal waste charge scheme would not be implemented under the current administration. Officials cited “a global trade war” and “an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape,” stating they needed to “adapt strategy” on waste reduction and recycling to “maximise overall social benefits.”
The scheme, first proposed in 2005 and approved by lawmakers in 2021, aimed to cut landfill waste by requiring people to buy designated rubbish bags. Originally set to launch on April 1, 2024, the rollout was pushed to August that year following “public concerns.” A limited trial began in April last year, but the government froze the plan the next month after residents described it as a “public disturbance.”
Former journalist and commentator Lam Miu-yan noted that Environment Bureau officials repeatedly delayed updates and had yet to disclose the total cost of the shelved scheme. As of May 2024, the Environmental Protection Department had 170 million unused bags in stock, costing taxpayers HK$74 million to produce. No updated figures have been released.
UK Immigration Proposal Sparks Concern
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s proposal to change immigration rules sparked concern among Hongkongers this week. He suggested that migrants should no longer qualify for permanent settlement in the UK after five years if his right-wing nationalist party wins the next election. The goal, according to Farage, is to prevent 800,000 people from being given Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), a key step on the path to British citizenship.
The proposal came against the backdrop of anti-immigration protests across Britain. Meanwhile, the governing Labour Party floated in a May white paper the idea of extending the residency threshold from five years to 10, though it did not specify whether this would affect the BNO visa scheme introduced in 2021 in response to the Beijing-imposed national security law in Hong Kong.
Lawmaker Regina Ip, Hong Kong’s former security chief, dismissed the risk as “not urgent.” She said any change to residency rights would require UK parliamentary approval, which may not be granted. Ip pointed out that Farage has yet to take the reins of government, and his remarks could be “all talk.” She also dismissed fears that migrants would be “driven out” under the proposals.
Typhoon Triggers Nostalgia and Creativity
As Super Typhoon Ragasa battered Hong Kong with hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and high tides, residents turned to social media to share how they braced for the storm. In Hong Kong, it’s common to see masking tape plastered on windows and glass doors in the shape of an X or an asterisk during typhoons – an old practice believed to prevent shattering.
On Threads, some residents took the tradition to new creative heights. One user taped a character from the hit Japanese manga series Chiikawa, while another crafted a portrait of Hong Kong business magnate Li Ka-shing and Chinese characters saying: “Go to work on time.” The Li-themed art was a tongue-in-cheek nod to the long-running joke about the mythical “Li’s field,” said to shield the city from the worst of tropical cyclones.
Another account, @jeffy0930 on Threads, went viral after documenting a turtle dove that sought refuge on an air-conditioning unit outside his window just before the typhoon hit. Videos showed the bird calmly nesting through the storm, having already laid two eggs. The posts struck a chord with many, prompting others to share photos of birds huddling outside their own windows during Ragasa.
Super Typhoon Ragasa didn’t just leave fallen trees in its wake – it also stirred up some unexpected nostalgia. Gale-force winds blew the cover off an old Urban Council sign near Chai Wan MTR station. The municipal body, established in the British colonial era, was disbanded in 1999 – two years after the handover. Netizens joked that the uncovered sign was like stumbling upon a “historic monument,” since it had been hidden for years beneath a Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) sign.
Typhoon Leaves Trail of Destruction
The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the city’s highest tropical cyclone signal at 2.40am on Wednesday, hours before Super Typhoon Ragasa pummelled Hong Kong with hurricane-force winds, storm surges, and flooding. From an uprooted tree in Oi Man Estate, a public housing estate in Ho Man Tin, to damaged waterfront restaurants in Tseung Kwan O and a flooded seaside hotel in Aberdeen, Ragasa left a trail of destruction across the city.
