The U.S. House passed a bill that could lead to the closure of Hong Kong’s representative offices in America, igniting a diplomatic dispute between China and the United States. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in a vote of 413-3. The bill targets Hong Kong’s trade missions in New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, framed the act as a crucial step in showing solidarity with Hong Kong citizens facing persecution.
This House bill is in response to a Chinese 2020 security law, which Beijing implemented after large-scale anti-government protests in 2019. The security law led to the arrests of high-profile, pro-democracy activists.
The bill follows recent controversies surrounding Hong Kong’s representative offices in America, including allegations of surveillance and foreign interference by staff linked to the London office.
Hong Kong’s Chinese-run government condemned the bill as a “politically driven” attack that violates international law and interferes with the city’s internal affairs.
A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the act as an “egregious” politicization of normal trade cooperation, warning of potential harm to China-U.S. relations.
Hong Kong serves as the second-largest source of trade surplus for the United States, with approximately 1,200 American companies operating there.
Hong Kong officials warn that the proposed legislation could backfire, potentially harming American interests and undermining the mutually beneficial relationship between the two economies.
The bill still needs to clear the Senate and be signed by the U.S. president before becoming law.
