US Strikes Back at China: House Passes Landmark Bill as Hong Kong Vows to Fight Back
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices Certification Act Sparks Controversy
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices Certification Act, which requires the President of the United States to decide whether the three Hong Kong economic and trade offices established in the United States can continue to operate within 30 days of the bill taking effect.
The bill, which was passed with 413 votes in favor and 3 against, has sparked strong condemnation from the SAR government and criticism from people from all walks of life. The government has criticized the U.S. House of Representatives for using the bill to discredit Hong Kong’s laws to safeguard national security and discredit Hong Kong’s human rights situation.
The three economic and trade offices, located in Washington, New York, and San Francisco, often meet with chambers of commerce and organize different activities to promote cultural exchanges. For example, the New York Economic and Trade Office organizes the New York-Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, and the San Francisco Economic and Trade Office organizes the “Stephen Chow Film Festival” and screens many classic movies.
In response to this incident, the Chinese Embassy in the United States has lodged stern representations and warned that if the United States insists on going its own way, China will take effective and effective measures to resolutely counterattack.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Yau Ying-wah has pointed out that there was no sufficient reason for the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the relevant bill, which completely smeared the rule of law in Hong Kong. He emphasized that the establishment of Hong Kong SAR Economic and Trade Offices in other places is based on the rights of the Basic Law, and the work is performed in accordance with local laws.
The Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong has also strongly condemned and firmly opposed the bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The spokesperson said that the United States has politicized and instrumentalized economic and trade issues, tried to use the bill to interfere with and undermine normal exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the United States, and further disrupted the normalization process of Sino-US relations.
The bill requires the President of the United States to decide whether to close the Hong Kong SAR government’s three economic and trade offices in the United States within 30 days after the bill takes effect and becomes law. If the President certifies that these ETOs are still qualified to operate in the United States, the U.S. State Department will need to issue a report every year to explain the reasons to Congress and review whether Hong Kong ETO staff can continue to enjoy the same special treatment as diplomats.
The bill must also be passed by the U.S. Senate. If the Senate fails to pass it before the adjournment at the end of December this year, the bill will become invalid. If the bill is passed by the Senate, it will need to be signed by the President of the United States before it becomes law.