Clifford Hart

Clifford Hart
United States Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau
Incumbent
Assumed office July 30, 2013
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Stephen Young
United States Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks
In office October 31, 2011 – July 23, 2013
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Sung Kim
Succeeded by	Sydney Seiler
Personal details
Born	1961 (age 54–55)
Alma mater	University of Mary Washington University of Virginia

Clifford A. Hart, Jr. is an American diplomat. He assumed his responsibilities as Consul General of the United States of America to Hong Kong and Macau beginning on July 30, 2013.^[1] As Consul General, he is responsible for the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions.^[1] His most recent appointment was as the Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks, for which President Obama accorded him the personal rank of Ambassador.^[1]

Over his 30-year diplomatic career, Hart's overseas experience includes three assignments to China and one each in the Soviet Union and Iraq.^[1] He also has pursued Chinese language training in Taiwan.^[1] He can understand Cantonese.^[2] As Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau, he makes good use of social media and is well-liked locally- he is affectionately nicknamed "Clifford BB". ^[3]

Hart's other Washington assignments include, at the White House, the National Security Council's China/Taiwan Director; at the Pentagon, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations; and, at the State Department, Director of the Office of Taiwan Coordination, Deputy Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, Operations Center Deputy Director for Crisis Management, and other positions.^[1]

Hart is a recipient of the State Department's highest commendation for diplomatic reporting and the U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Servant Award. He also has received State Department Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards and the U.S. Army's Meritorious Civilian Service Award.^[1]

Hart holds a master's degree from the University of Virginia, where he was a President's Fellow.^[1]

References

1. "Consul General". Consulate General of the United States Hong Kong & Macau. August 23, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
2. 外交部警告夏千福 勿插手香港政改 [Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns Clifford Hart. Don't interfere Hong Kong electoral reform]. 主場新聞. August 28, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
3. Clifford BB 用廣東話，向香港和澳門人拜年 [Clifford BB wishes Hong Kong and Macau a happy Chinese New Year]. The Stand News. February 6, 2016.