Envoy says US loses trust in Hong Kong after Snowden

The top US diplomat in Hong Kong warned on Thursday of a "big struggle" ahead to repair Washington's trust in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory after the flight of fugitive spy agency contractor Edward Snowden.

Speaking publicly for the first time since Snowden flew from Hong Kong to Moscow on Sunday despite a US request to hold him to face charges of espionage, Consul General Stephen Young told Reuters that Washington's confidence was "shaken". (Reuters)