Assignments in China tend to be considered hardship tours at the State Department. When a FSO returns from the Celestial Empire, they're typically given a more desirable gig or otherwise rewarded. So the promotion Julie Eadeh received wasn't surprising.
Julie may have volunteered for another stint in Hong Kong to secure a follow-on assignment that will translate to a major promotion, the sort that'll require a hearing or two before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Joshua Wong was a smart kid, but absolutely lacking in wisdom and foresight; and like a lot of smart kids, he mistook himself for invincible.
He thoroughly indulged in his "15 minutes" of fame and infamy, even if he got used by Uncle Sam: celebrityhood can be utterly intoxicating (it's why most celebrities are narcissists), and he definitely enjoyed it while it lasted.
Now Joshua gets to pay for it in a cell.
