10 September 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act (HR 1103) by a vote of 413-3. The legislation requires the President of the United States to annually certify whether HKETOs should continue to have diplomatic privileges and immunities now that Hong Kong’s special autonomous status has been decertified. More information on the HKETOs can be found here.
Below is a statement from Jonathan Stivers, U.S. Director, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation:
“Today the U.S. House of Representatives came together in a bipartisan way to support the people of Hong Kong in their struggle for freedom and human rights. The Hong Kong government, at the behest of Beijing, has intensified repression over the last year and continues to decimate the once-respected rule of law and freedom of expression that the people of Hong Kong once enjoyed. Almost two thousand political prisoners are now languishing in Hong Kong prisons and authorities continue to target journalists, pro-democracy advocates, and ordinary Hong Kong citizens who dare to speak out.
“The HKETO offices in the U.S. have clearly been taking their orders from Beijing. These offices should no longer be allowed to have separate privileges and immunities from the People’s Republic of China, especially considering the evidence that Hong Kong officials have been engaged in transnational repression against human rights advocates in the U.S. and espionage in the UK and Germany.
“The U.S. House of Representatives has sent a clear and overwhelming message today that the HKETOs should be shut down. It is now time for the U.S. Senate to take further action so this legislation can be signed into law by the President this year. It cannot wait.
“The CFHK Foundation is deeply grateful to the members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China for leading on this effort - especially the House and Senate sponsors – Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).”
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