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David Schlaefer

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David Allen Schlaefer
Official Portrait, 2024
Charge d'Affaire of the U.S. Mission in Hong Kong
PresidentDonald Trump
Personal details
BornTexas, U.S.
Alma materBaylor University (BSFS & MAIR)
The University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D.)
Websitehttps://hk.usconsulate.gov/deputy-consul-general/

David Allen Schlaefer is an American career diplomat and author. He is a member of the Senior Foreign Service in the United States Foreign Service and the current Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Mission in Hong Kong. Schlaefer has served on previous diplomatic missions to Brazil, Finland, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Romania, and Ukraine. Schlaefer is also an author of a series of books based on Finnish mythology.[1][2][3]

Early life and career

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Schlaefer was born in Texas and grew up in the Rio Grande Valley where his family worked in the citrus industry. He received his education from Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin. Schlaefer later taught at the Hong Kong Baptist College (now the Hong Kong Baptist University) during the mid-90s.[1]

From 2009 to 2010, Schlaefer served in a Provincial Reconstruction Team with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team in southern Iraq. He was awarded the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for his services.[1][4]

In 2011, Schlaefer was appointed Director for Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and was part of the negotiating team for the revision of the US-Japan Defense Guideline. Schlaefer later served as the Deputy Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism in Washington.[1][4]

Schlaefer was then appointed as the Senior Assistance Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. He later helped to reopen the embassy in June 2022 during Russia's invasion of Ukraine and reestablished its operations as the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission.[1][4][5]

Schlaefer was later posted as the Deputy Counsel General at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, and is now the Charge D’Affaires upon the previous Counsel General Gregory May's reassignment to Beijing. He is expected to hold this role until the new Counsel General is appointed.[6][7]

Personal life

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Schlaefer is married to his wife, a professional interpreter and translator, and has two children. They all currently reside in Hong Kong.[1] Schlaefer has also written of a series of books based on Finnish mythology.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Charge D'Affaires". U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau. 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  2. ^ a b "David Allen Schlaefer – The Far Northern Land Saga". Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  3. ^ Journal, Romania (2019-02-24). "Adviser of EU Embassy in Bucharest warns over Russia's attempts to weaken Romania and its ties with the West". The Romania Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  4. ^ a b c "David A. Schlaefer". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  5. ^ "15 Minutes That Mattered: Wartime Assistance to Ukraine". afsa.org. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  6. ^ "Luncheon and Amver Awards Ceremony". hksoa. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  7. ^ "New US diplomat to Hong Kong expected to be in place by autumn". South China Morning Post. 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-07-22.