Fury at US bill that puts SAR trade offices at risk of closure

The SAR government strongly condemned a United States bill that will give power to the US president to close Hong Kong's Economic and Trade Office in the country once he deems the office does not deserve the privilege and exemption it currently enjoys.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act was approved by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday and will be reviewed by the full House of Representatives.

The SAR government said the bill completely neglects Hong Kong's role under the one country, two systems principle and maliciously smears the national security law.

"That act is factually wrong. It aims to smear and attack the work of the Hong Kong economic and trade offices in the US and misleadingly lures the removal of the privileges, exemptions and immunities enjoyed by the [offices]," the government said.

Hong Kong has set up 14 overseas economic and trade offices, including three in the US - in Washington DC, New York and San Francisco.

The three offices in the US have helped enrich ties between the SAR and the US in trading, investments, arts and culture, the government said, adding the US enjoys "significant economic benefits in Hong Kong."

It added: "The US enjoyed a trade surplus of US$284.9 billion with Hong Kong in the past 10 years - the largest among its global trading partners - and more than 1,200 US companies have set up businesses in the SAR.

"If the US insists on undermining the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US through [the act], it will ultimately harm the interests of the US and its companies."

The government said the three offices in the US will continue to promote the SAR's advantages and tell good Hong Kong stories, as well as "refute erroneous reports and clarify misconceptions without fear or favor."

The Commissioner's Office of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong also slammed US politicians for "politicizing economic and trade issues to harm Hong Kong and interfere in China's internal affairs."

It advised the US to "understand the situation clearly, put itself in the right position and refrain from provoking troubles, and crossing the boundary, and take concrete actions to return to the right path of promoting mutual trust and cooperation between China and the US," it added.

Some citizens protested outside the Consulate General of the United States in Hong Kong and Macau in Central yesterday, condemning the US for interfering in Hong Kong affairs.

Director of Customs and Excise Louise Ho Pui-shan said all international relationships should be built on mutual trust and respect, and unfair and unreasonable administrative measures are unacceptable.

As an international city and export-oriented economy, Hong Kong should continuously explore and build relationships with other economies, she said.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong legislator Holden Chow Ho-ding slammed US politicians for pushing the bill, saying the US will only hurt itself by its action.

"The economic and trade offices are definitely helpful in maintaining and consolidating bilateral economic and trade exchanges between the US and Hong Kong," he said.

And lawmaker Bill Tang Ka-piu from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions also said the bill defames the SAR government, which protects human rights and the rule of law in the city.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com