US House Passes Bill Targeting Hong Kong Offices

The US House of Representatives has passed the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, which targets Hong Kong’s trade offices in New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. The Act requires the US secretary of state to review the offices and potentially strip them of privileges if they are found not to operate with 'a high degree of autonomy' from China. The bill's passage, which still needs Senate approval and presidential signing, has drawn strong condemnation from Hong Kong and Beijing, accusing the US of political slander and interference. Former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and Secretary for Commerce Algernon Yau criticized the bill, arguing it harms US-Hong Kong relations and presents no benefits. Beijing has threatened countermeasures if the bill leads to the closure of these offices.