US Bill Aims at Hong Kong Trade Offices, Provoking Backlash from City’s Government

By Jessie Pang

HONG KONG (Reuters) – The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill that may result in the closure of Hong Kong’s economic and trade offices in the United States, prompting strong criticism from the government of the Chinese-controlled city.

The bipartisan Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act gives the U.S. president the authority to revoke the privileges and immunities of the trade offices located in Washington D.C., New York, and San Francisco if they are found not to operate with a "high degree of autonomy" from China, among other stipulations.

If the HKETOs are determined to no longer qualify for such privileges, they must cease operations in the United States within 180 days of the certification being submitted to Congress.

The bill was overwhelmingly passed with a vote of 413 to 3 on Tuesday and now requires approval from the U.S. Senate before being sent to President Joe Biden for signing into law.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Hong Kong government expressed its "strong condemnation" of the U.S. House’s actions, claiming that the Act is being used to cast aspersions on Hong Kong’s national security laws and to misrepresent the human rights situation in the region.

The statement further criticized the legislation as a politically motivated attack that violates international law and interferes in Hong Kong’s affairs.

Hong Kong operates 14 HKETOs globally, including locations in Britain, Germany, Australia, and Canada. In May, authorities in Britain arrested and charged three individuals, including a manager of the HKETO in the UK, on suspicion of aiding Hong Kong’s foreign intelligence service.

Republican Representative Chris Smith, who chairs the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, stated during a hearing that the legislation represents "a necessary next step in tangibly demonstrating our solidarity with the persecuted citizens of Hong Kong," highlighting individuals like jailed media mogul Jimmy Lai, activist Joshua Wong, and human rights attorney Tonyee Chow.

Anna Kwok, the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council, who is currently under a HK$1 million bounty for alleged national security offenses, remarked that the bill is a critical measure to hold the Hong Kong government accountable for its human rights abuses.

In 2020, Beijing enforced a national security law in Hong Kong following a series of pro-democracy protests that occurred the previous year. In March, Hong Kong enacted an additional national security law, known as Article 23.

Both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments contend that these security laws are essential for restoring order and stability in the city. According to the Security Bureau, over 300 individuals have been arrested under the national security law.