Govt hits back at US for passing act targeting the HK Economic and Trade Offices

Hong Kong issued a statement on Thursday to condemn the US House Foreign Affairs Committee for passing the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act which the SAR government said is “factually wrong”. 

“It aims to achieve political objectives by smearing and attacking the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the US on promoting mutually beneficial economic and trade relations and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the US,” the government said. 

The government also recalled that the US enjoyed a trade surplus of US$284.9 billion with Hong Kong over the past 10 years, the largest among its global trading partners, and more than 1,200 US companies have set up businesses in Hong Kong. 

“If the US insists on undermining the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US through the so-called Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, it will ultimately harm the interests of the US and its companies,” it said. 

The government said its three economic and trade offices in the US will continue to promote Hong Kong’s unique advantages, tell the good stories of Hong Kong and, where necessary, refute erroneous reports and clarify misconceptions without fear or favor. 

The government continued that it firmly safeguards the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers protected by law and human rights have been firmly protected by the Constitution of China and the Basic Law since handover in 1997. 

The government also said the legal system in Hong Kong is robust and transparent and the Basic Law guarantees that the common law system continues to be practiced in Hong Kong, the independence of the judiciary, and that the exercise of judicial power shall be free from interference.