The Pearl of the Orient may no longer be shiny, but the U.S. Consulate there keeps the lights on. For all practical purposes, it is the de facto American Embassy in China. The U.S. mission in Beijing, not so much. I am interested in essence rather than name.

Hong Kong is strategically vital to American interests in the South China Sea and beyond. The consulate must be, I dare say, a nerve center as much as an emergency shelter. Things happen.

Of course, all bets would be off if there's a PRC attack on the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong.

Author: renqiulan