The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Wednesday strongly condemned some American legislators for reintroducing a bill that may lead to the closure of three Hong Kong trade offices in the United States, vowing forceful countermeasures if this tactic proceeds.

On Tuesday, US congressmen Chris Smith and Jim McGovern reintroduced a bill that seeks to revoke certain privileges and exemptions granted to Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) in the US if the US President, after consulting with the State Department, determines that the city’s high degree of autonomy has been undermined. The proposal has been referred to the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, though the full text of the bill has yet to be published.

This marks the second attempt by US lawmakers to target Hong Kong’s trade offices. A similar bill passed the House of Representatives last year but was not submitted to the Senate before adjournment of the session.

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A spokesperson for the commissioner's office denounced the move as “blatant interference” in Hong Kong affairs and a malicious attempt to disrupt normal economic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the US, in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon.

Officially representing the special administrative region in the United States, the Hong Kong trade offices play a constructive role in promoting trade and practical cooperation between the two sides, and their lawful operations should not be unjustly questioned, the spokesperson said.

Hong Kong currently has ETOs in Washington, New York, and San Francisco, among the SAR’s 14 overseas offices, and they have enjoyed diplomatic privileges from the US government since the late 1990s.

The offices are focused mainly on promoting Hong Kong’s economic and trade interests, keeping a close watch on developments which may affect Hong Kong’s economic and trade interests, and to maintain close liaison with local business and industrial community, politicians and media outlets.

The statement accused certain US politicians of acting out of “selfish political motives” and harboring ill intentions toward Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.

They are not willing to see a safe Hong Kong thrive, the spokesperson said.

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The spokesperson urged some US politicians to “immediately cease their wrongdoings and stop meddling in Hong Kong’s affairs”, warning that the Chinese government will respond with strong countermeasures if relevant politicians do not correct such practices.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com