Mark Simon, Jimmy Lai’s aide leaving with an assistant and Christian Whiton following from behind.  (Photo: agencies)

A former senior Trump administration advisor was seen eating at an upscale restaurant with Hong Kong pro-democracy activists on August 3, according to Hong Kong newspaper Takungpao. 

Christian Whiton was spotted with Jimmy Lai of Next Media Group and his aide Mark Simon, along with Martin Lee, Chairman of the Democratic Party, and former Chief Secretary Anson Maria Elizabeth Chan Fang On-sang. 

While serving the Trump administration, Whiton was a senior advisor for strategic communications at the US State Department. He advised on public diplomacy, media, and East Asia issues. He also served as an advisor to the Secretary of State, and US Ambassador to the United Nations.

In a recent article, Whiton said that creating a crisis for the Chinese government during a time when trade negotiations between the US and China remain difficult would benefit US national interests, Takungpao reported.