The US House of Representatives passed H.R. 1103, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act on September 9, 2024. The bill sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith passed 413 to 3. A companion bill in the US Senate (S.490) sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio is making its way through the Senate legislative process.
This bill requires the US President to periodically determine whether to allow the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) to continue to operate in the United States. The HKETOs are the official representative offices for Hong Kong.
Under this bill, the President must periodically (at least once a year) certify to Congress a determination as to whether the HKETOs should be covered by the International Organizations Immunities Act. The act provides immunities and privileges to certain international organizations, such as immunity from certain lawsuits and exemption from property taxes.
If the President certifies that the HKETOs no longer merit receiving such privileges and immunities, the HKETOs must terminate operations in the United States no later than 180 days after the certification is delivered to Congress.
For More:
Hong Kong Watch
