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119-hr-2661119th Congress

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

Sponsored By: Representative Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

Introduced

Summary

Ties HKETO privileges to Hong Kong's autonomy. This bill would create a conditional framework that forces a certification decision on whether Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices merit diplomatic-style privileges, exemptions, and immunities.

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  • HKETO operations would face clear triggers. If the Secretary finds HKETO no longer merits privileges, the office would have to end operations within 180 days. If it does merit extension, HKETO could operate for up to a one-year period or until the next certification.
  • U.S. agencies and contracts would face new limits. Federal entities could contract with HKETO for tourism, culture, or business only after a positive certification and if no disapproval resolution is enacted within 90 days. Contracts must not support efforts that undermine Hong Kong autonomy or portray the Hong Kong or Chinese governments as protecting rule of law or human rights.
  • Congress and U.S. policy get new tools. Congress would have a formal joint-resolution path to disapprove a certification. The bill also directs U.S. policy to avoid promoting Hong Kong as autonomous where autonomy is lacking and to press for release of political prisoners, a free press, fair elections, and an independent judiciary.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Regular review of Hong Kong trade offices

If enacted, the Secretary of State would have to decide within 30 days whether Hong Kong’s trade offices should keep certain privileges. Each required certification would include a written report explaining the decision and may cite national security. If the decision favors extension, the offices could operate for one year after that certification or until the next certification, whichever comes first, unless Congress disapproves. If the decision is negative, the offices would have to shut down within 180 days after Congress receives the decision. Congress would get a fast-track to disapprove an extension: leaders could introduce it, committees would be discharged after 10 legislative days, the Senate could move to it without debate, and any veto message would face only 10 hours of debate.

Tighter rules for U.S. Hong Kong outreach

If enacted, U.S. agencies could only sign tourism, culture, or business deals with these offices if three conditions are met. The Secretary must decide the offices should keep privileges, no disapproval is enacted within 90 days after that decision, and the deal cannot promote propaganda. Agencies would be told not to promote Hong Kong as free and autonomous while the Secretary finds it is not. Agencies would be directed to push for release of political prisoners, an end to arbitrary detentions, a free press, fair and open elections, and an independent judiciary. U.S. agencies would be barred from helping Chinese government propaganda about Hong Kong.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

NJ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/7/2025

  • Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/12/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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