The top U.S. diplomat in Hong Kong on Monday urged China to ease political pressure on the city, warning that the "crude and chilling" use of a sweeping national security law threatened its role as an international business hub.
In at times strongly worded farewell remarks to the American Chamber of Commerce, outgoing U.S. Consul General Hanscom Smith said electoral changes to ensure only officially screened "patriots" ran the city had further undermined its future.
