Clifford Hart | |
---|---|
United States Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau | |
In office July 30, 2013 – July 30, 2016 |
|
President | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | Stephen Young |
Succeeded by | Kurt Tong |
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 55–56) |
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. As Consul General, he is responsible for the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions. 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.
Over his 30-year diplomatic career, Hart's overseas experience includes three assignments to China and one each in the Soviet Union and Iraq. He also has pursued Chinese language training in Taiwan. He can understand Cantonese. 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".
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.
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.