We call for the: 

• Annual Review of HKETOs in the USA, in San Francisco, New York City, and Washington DC. 
• Annual Certification of HKETOs in the USA, assessing whether they merit extension and application of the14 privileges, exemptions, and immunities. 
• Closure of HKETOs in the USA that  no longer merit extension and application of the privileges, exemptions, and immunities. 

There are three HKETOs (Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices) in the USA. They are in San Francisco, New York, and Washington DC. These offices represent the Hong Kong SAR government in the USA and have the same privileges and immunities as public international organizations, which includes that the offices and archives cannot be entered, and officers have immunity and tax exemptions.

As the Hong Kong SAR rapidly loses its autonomy and is increasingly controlled by Beijing, the HKETOs are also increasingly representing Beijing abroad. This is evident in the HKETOs’ activities, which are whitewashing the human rights violations in the Hong Kong SAR and promoting the Beijing-imposed changes. 

Today, HKETOs are essentially an additional embassy for Beijing in the USA. They do not respect the values of the USA and bring risks, whilst also having these privileges and immunities that enable them. 

In February 2023, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Jeff Merkley reintroduced the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act (Bill S490) to reevaluate the United States’ recognition of HKETOs. 

US Congressmen Chris Smith and Jim McGovern also reintroduced companion legislation in February as well, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

We strongly support these Senators’ and Congressmen’s initiatives and urge Congress to pass the HKETO Certification Act.