"If Hong Kong doesn't act soon, it will complicate our bilateral relations and raise questions about Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law," a senior Obama administration official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity."

This is totally disrespectful. I would call this extortion. Not good for bilateral relations.

I think the US is overplaying their influence on HK. People in HK regularly protest (on the street, even) against Beijing's apparent interference in local politics or social matters such as education and elections. At the end of the day HK is part of China and this how they act towards Beijing. I don't think the US can waltz in to HK and apply their special brand of moral pressure for HK to 'do the right thing'...

I don't think HK cares that much about US relations. They can defer to China to help get their way if they need it for trade related matters. I don't think they will want to be seen as caving to US pressure here.

"raise questions about Hong Kong's commitment to the rule of law"

Hope the irony isn't lost on them.

They're on a roll. I thought charging him espionage was even better.

And American policy regarding spying on private people worldwide isn't bad for international relations? Isn't bad for relations with China? Isn't harmful to American businesses seeking to serve the Chinese market?

All the majort powers in the world spy on each other.

They know that they each spy on each other. Friendly nations spy on each other; foes spy on each other. If nations know they spy on each others' 'national secrets' and don't publicly do much about it, I don't think they'll care much about the more quotidian things each other might record about their masses of people. Would the US care that France recorded American civilian citizens comms? I don't think so. Same for France. They might make some public fuss about it, but they care more about the spying on 'sensitive' information --and even then it's more of a 'game'.

Of course it is, but they are trying hard, to make it even worse.