Gregory C. May

Gregory C. May is an American diplomat and former journalist who has served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing since July 2025. He previously served as U.S. consul general in Hong Kong and Macau from 2022 to 2025, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar from 2019 to 2022, and U.S. consul general in Shenyang from 2016 to 2019.

Early life and career

May is from Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and received a master's degree in China Studies from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

In August 2016, May became U.S. consul general in Shenyang, serving until 2019. He subsequently served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar from August 2019 until 2022. The post had been vacant for approximately two months following Smith's departure in July.

His comments prompted repeated criticism from the Hong Kong government, which accused him of making biased or unfounded statements about the city's national-security regime and of interfering in Hong Kong's affairs.

In June 2025, shortly before leaving the post, May again criticised the application of Hong Kong's national-security laws, including the prosecution of political activists and the issuing of arrest warrants and bounties for activists living overseas. The Hong Kong government rejected his remarks and accused the United States of applying double standards on national security.

Deputy Chief of Mission in Beijing

In July 2025, May became deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, succeeding Sarah M. Beran.

May was succeeded in Hong Kong by Julie Eadeh, who assumed office in August 2025 after receiving approval from the Chinese government.

Personal life

May speaks Mandarin and studied Cantonese while serving as consul general in Hong Kong and Macau.

May is married to Margaret Li-hung Ma and has three children.