Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

New limits on U.S. ties with HKETO

This bill would require the Secretary of State, within 30 days of enactment and then each year, to decide whether Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETO) should keep special U.S. privileges and to send a written justification. If the Secretary says HKETO should keep privileges, HKETO could operate for one year or until the next certification unless Congress adopts a disapproval resolution. If the Secretary says HKETO should not keep privileges, HKETO would have to stop operations within 180 days after Congress is notified. The bill would create a fast congressional disapproval process with limits on who may introduce such a resolution, require committees to act within 10 legislative days, and set Senate debate limits. It would bar U.S. agencies from making partnership agreements with HKETO to promote tourism, culture, business, or other Hong Kong matters unless a positive determination is submitted, no disapproval passes in 90 days, and the agreement does not promote removing Hong Kong's autonomy or falsely portray Hong Kong or China as protecting rights. The bill would also direct U.S. agencies not to assist propaganda that paints Hong Kong as free and to press Hong Kong officials to release political prisoners and restore press, elections, and judicial independence.