Image Credit: CGTN
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the United States House of Representatives for advancing the “Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act,” which it claims undermines Hong Kong’s development and serves U.S. political interests.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed the matter during a regular press conference, denouncing the bill as a move to politicise and tarnish Hong Kong’s overseas economic and trade institutions. Mao emphasised that the HKETO, established by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, is essential for fostering practical economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong and other nations. She asserted that the smooth functioning of HKETO is beneficial for both Hong Kong and its international partners.
Mao argued that the bill, which has now passed the U.S. House, serves only to create discord and is detrimental to mutual economic interests. Highlighting that Hong Kong is a major trade surplus source for the U.S. and hosts over 1,200 American businesses, she warned that such legislation could backfire and harm U.S. interests instead.
China has reportedly lodged formal protests with the U.S. government, urging it to abandon the bill to avoid further destabilising China-U.S. relations. Mao cautioned that if the U.S. persists with its legislative actions, China would be compelled to implement robust countermeasures. She reiterated that the advancement of the bill threatens to undermine the stability and growth of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The U.S. move has been perceived as an attempt to politicise economic issues surrounding Hong Kong, adding tension to already strained relations between Washington and Beijing.