Exterior view of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on September 9, 2024.
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U.S. lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill that could ultimately lead to the closure of Hong Kong’s trade office in the U.S., drawing strong condemnation from the Chinese-ruled city and Beijing.
Legislation, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office certification (Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office) bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming support on Tuesday.
If the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office will require the U.S. Secretary of State to annually review the “privileges, immunities and immunities” granted to U.S. citizens. Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
An office would be required to cease operations if the secretary of state determines that it no longer enjoys a “high degree of autonomy” from the Chinese government or raises other concerns, such as those related to national security.
Beijing is strong Condemned the passage of the bill On Wednesday, it accused the United States of politicizing normal economic cooperation and trying to curb Hong Kong’s development.
China urges the U.S. to stop promoting this behavior to avoid further damaging the stability and development of Sino-U.S. relations. Otherwise, China will take resolute countermeasures.
This statement echoes statement The Hong Kong government condemns the United States for distorting facts, violating international laws and norms, and grossly interfering in Hong Kong affairs.
Hong Kong has 14 Economic and trade offices abroadIt is committed to promoting the economic and trade interests of the financial center and supporting overseas enterprises to expand their business in the city.
However, supporters of the Hong Kong ETO charge that these offices are also agents of the Hong Kong government and even Beijing.
The charges represent a breakdown in diplomatic relations between Washington and Hong Kong since the passage of a Beijing-backed national security law in 2020 that cracked down on pro-democracy protests and political dissent in the city.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Republican Rep. Chris Smith, sponsor of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, called the bill “a necessary step forward to truly demonstrate our solidarity with persecuted Hong Kong citizens.” step”.
“The United States should not grant diplomatic privileges and immunities to a network of communist spies and propagandists,” he added.
In March this year, the Hong Kong government implemented an additional security law, Article 23U.S. officials and analysts believe this could further weaken Hong Kong’s autonomy and threaten U.S. businesses in the city.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement release Last week, “Businesses should be aware that the risks they face in (the People’s Republic of China) are now increasingly present in Hong Kong.”
