Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

Sponsor: Christopher H. Smith (Republican-NJ)

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Requires U.S. to review Hong Kong offices' privileges, potentially ending their operations if Hong Kong loses autonomy.

This bill would require the U.S. Secretary of State to regularly check if Hong Kong's offices in the U.S. still deserve special diplomatic benefits. If Hong Kong is found to not be independent enough from China, these offices could be forced to close within 180 days. The bill also sets new rules for how the U.S. government works with these offices and its overall policy on Hong Kong's independence and human rights.

What Would Change

Today, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) in the U.S. have certain diplomatic privileges without a specific, regular review tied to Hong Kong's autonomy. U.S. government entities can partner with them more freely. After this bill, the Secretary of State would regularly decide if these offices still deserve their privileges, with a detailed report. If not, the offices would close within 180 days. U.S. government partnerships with HKETOs would be restricted, and U.S. policy would actively challenge the erosion of Hong Kong's freedoms.

Key Provisions

Requires the Secretary of State to decide if Hong Kong's U.S. offices still deserve special diplomatic privileges.
Forces Hong Kong's U.S. offices to close within 180 days if the Secretary of State decides they no longer deserve special privileges.
Creates a process for Congress to reject the Secretary of State's decision to continue privileges for Hong Kong's U.S. offices.
Blocks U.S. government agencies from partnering with Hong Kong's U.S. offices for certain promotional activities under specific conditions.
Establishes U.S. policy to not promote Hong Kong as autonomous if it lacks independence from China.
Directs the U.S. government to engage with Hong Kong's government to seek the release of political prisoners and restore freedoms.

View on Congress.gov

HR 2661 · 119th Congress · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity