US Consulate in Hong Kong Courts Trouble, Beijing Draws a Red Line

It seems some people just can't take a hint. The new US Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, Julie Eadeh, who only just took up her post last month, is already making waves.

Déjà Vu: The US Plays Its Old Hand

Julie Eadeh recently hosted two receptions, inviting none other than former Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan and former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau. In a swift and unambiguous response, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) on Wednesday twice republished articles from Wen Wei Po, calling out Chan and Lau by name. The message was crystal clear: collusion with forces aiming to incite chaos will not be tolerated, and their subversive actions have been put on notice.

The Wen Wei Po report republished by the HKMAO, titled "Citizens Rally at US Consulate, Slam Consul’s Collusion with Troublemakers" put Anson Chan squarely in the spotlight.

Wen Wei: Strong Citizen Pushback at US Consulate

According to the report, Consul General Julie Eadeh seems to be picking up right where her predecessors left off. Online media reported her attempt to collude with Anson Chan, a known chaos-inciting element, to stir up trouble in Hong Kong. On September 23rd, numerous citizens gathered outside the US Consulate General to protest, demanding that the US and its personnel stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs and, by extension, China's internal matters.

The article, citing local online sources, noted that Chan had recently been invited by Eadeh to an event at The American Club in Central. This news prompted several groups of citizens to organize spontaneous protests. Around 20 demonstrators gathered outside the Consulate, unfurling a banner that read, "Strongly condemn Julie Eadeh for colluding with anti-China, chaos-inciting element Anson Chan." They held signs with slogans like "Colluding with anti-China, chaos-inciting elements is shameful" and "Do not bring chaos to Hong Kong," while repeatedly chanting their condemnation of Eadeh's actions.

On the same day, the HKMAO website shared another Wen Wei Po piece, titled "National Security Barrier is Firmly in Place, Chaos-Inciting Forces Will Not Be Tolerated." This article widened the net, not only scrutinizing the Eadeh-Chan meeting but also putting Emily Lau on blast.

Wen Wei article republished by HKMAO: No Room Left for Chaos—National Security Barrier Sealed

Describing her as "unwilling to be forgotten," the article pointed out that "after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, she has not stopped engaging in soft resistance, and even after the disbandment of the Democratic Party, she has shown no signs of restraint." Her behavior at the US consulate's reception, where she was seen "flitting about the room," was compared to the infamous anti-China banquets once hosted by Jimmy Lai at his Kadoorie Hill mansion.

The Usual Suspects Reemerge

The article delved into Anson Chan's long history of colluding with foreign powers. As far back as 2013, she, along with Johannes Chan—who has since fled to the UK—and others, founded the political group "Hong Kong 2020." She repeatedly traveled abroad to smear Hong Kong's name, including a trip to the US in April 2014 with Martin Lee to meet with then-Vice President Joe Biden, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In January 2017, she again scurried to the US for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, meeting with numerous American officials to conspire against Hong Kong.

Furthermore, this year's trial of Jimmy Lai for violating the National Security Law unearthed some shocking details. Evidence revealed that Anson Chan played a disgraceful part in the 2019 anti-extradition bill turmoil. It came to light that in March 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington, she was instructed by former US Consul General James Cunningham to "lodge a complaint with foreigners," effectively bad-mouthing the SAR government's proposed amendments to US political circles.

Remember when Anson Chan announced she would "no longer participate in civic and political work" right before the National Security Law was enacted in June 2020? Well, that promise has seemingly gone out the window. Her recent re-emergence to kowtow to Julie Eadeh shows her integrity is bankrupt. Her claim of retiring from politics was nothing more than a disingenuous, self-deceiving lie.

Emily Lau: A Desperate Grab for Relevance

The article argues that Emily Lau is even more "unreconciled" than Chan. Since the National Security Law's implementation, she has relentlessly engaged in "soft resistance." Even after the Democratic Party disbanded, she hasn't slowed down. She uses her personal channel, "ChatDP with Emily Lau," to give a platform to anti-China, chaos-inciting figures, and is a frequent visitor to Stanley Prison, always making sure to post a photo on social media after visiting her incarcerated comrades.

Emily Lau Flaunts Meeting With US Consul Julie Eadeh (FB photo)

Her quick response to Eadeh's "call to assemble" at the US consulate is seen as a blatant attempt to claw back some political capital and "add value" to her own dwindling relevance.

This isn't Eadeh's first rodeo. The article recalls how in August 2019, when she was the head of the US consulate's political unit, she held a secret meeting with Joshua Wong and Nathan Law of the now-defunct anti-China group "Demosistō" in an Admiralty hotel. The day after their clandestine meeting, "Demosistō" announced plans for a city-wide class boycott.

2019: Eadeh Caught in Secret Hotel Meet-Up with the “Demosistō ringleaders” (FB photo)

Back then, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong acted swiftly. It urgently summoned senior officials from the US Consulate General to make a solemn representation, demanding that they "immediately make a clean break from anti-China forces who stir up trouble in Hong Kong, stop sending out wrong signals to violent offenders, refrain from meddling with Hong Kong affairs, and avoid going further down the wrong path." The warning was stern and direct.

The New Reality in Hong Kong

The article concludes with a powerful reminder. With the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance now firmly in place, Hong Kong has "built an indestructible national security barrier." The city will absolutely not allow internal and external anti-China forces to act recklessly again. It's a stark warning to those pawns who still harbor ambitions of acting as agents for foreign powers: watch your step.

As one pundit noted, the open collusion between Anson Chan, Emily Lau, and foreign forces prompted this rare public warning from the HKMAO via republished articles. It underscores a new reality: the perfected national security legal framework will not tolerate any reckless behavior from anti-China, chaos-inciting elements. All sectors in Hong Kong must remain vigilant against the revival of these destructive forces.

Ariel

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For months, overseas supporters painted Jimmy Lai as frail and fading fast behind bars. His daughter even claimed his fingernails had turned green and fallen off.

But the man who walked into court today presented a different picture. Lai stepped into the dock on his own, steady and alert. He looked composed — none of the weakness or fatigue described by his family and foreign backers.

No Case for Sympathy

The court’s written judgment made its stance clear: age, health, and solitary confinement were no excuse for leniency. After reviewing detailed medical reports from the Correctional Services Department, the judge ruled that Lai has received proper, continuous medical care — and that no sentence reduction is warranted.

The report dated January 9, 2026, offered a medical snapshot: Lai takes prescribed medication for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all under control. Tests on his heart and hearing showed no abnormalities.

He had dental issues in 2021 and received specialist treatment, with no follow-up complaints since 2022. His eyesight shows early cataracts but remains stable under observation.

Minor Ailments, Maximum Care

In mid-2024, doctors spotted fungal nail infections on his right thumb and left big toe. Lai declined topical treatment and preferred a conservative approach, which doctors continued to monitor. By late 2025, the condition remained stable, with no signs of worsening.

The report even tracked his weight: 80 kilograms in December 2020, down slightly to 79.2 in January 2026 — both figures putting him in the overweight range for Asian adults.

The defence argued the weight loss showed a health decline, but the court brushed that aside. The key question, the judge said, was not whether Lai had lost weight — but whether it mattered medically. The records said no.

Judge Draws the Line

Medical issues won’t win Lai any leniency, the judge ruled. His crimes were serious, and his own lawyers admitted his ailments weren’t life-threatening. Compassion, the court made plain, has limits when weighed against the severity of the offence.

The court added that speculation about future health decline held no weight. The Correctional Services Department has a duty to ensure proper care, and so far, has fulfilled it.

Isolation by Choice

On Lai’s solitary confinement: that was his own call. Relying on CSD testimony, the judge said Lai repeatedly requested separation from other inmates, citing fears of harassment because of his notoriety. Each time, he confirmed he did so voluntarily.

The CSD made clear that Lai continues to enjoy every right guaranteed to inmates — from family visits and letter correspondence to religious services, outdoor exercise, and full access to medical and psychological care. Every safeguard remains intact. Notably, Lai has never once complained about his medical treatment, and the court pointed out that neither he nor his lawyers disputed any of these facts.