By participating in this campaign, you will send an email and/or tweet to your senators asking them to support scheduling a vote on the House-passed version of the HKETO Certification Act in order for the President to sign it into law immediately.

What is the HKETO Certification Act, and what is its current status?

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act would require the Secretary of State to either revoke the special status of the US’ three HKETOs by declaring that they are  no longer operating autonomously from the PRC, or otherwise  justify to Congress why the State Department has not done so. While the text of the bill is technical, what’s important is that this bill would likely result in the shutdown of the HKETOs in the United States.

The HKETO Certification Act has passed the House, and is now waiting for a vote in the Senate. However, it might not come to a vote there at all unless Senators push for it. That’s where we need your help. 

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What are the HKETOs and what special privileges do they have in the United States?

In the lead-up to the British transfer of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the U.S. government gave three Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, or HKETOs, special privileges and immunities, similar to national embassies and consulates, in recognition of Hong Kong’s autonomy from China. There are currently three HKETOs in the U.S., in Washington DC, New York City, and San Francisco. They and their staff enjoy a form of diplomatic immunity, immunity from search and seizure (including at the airport), and exemptions from customs and import taxes, as well as property taxes. 

Why have the US HKETOs become a problem?

Since Hong Kong’s 2020 National Security Law and with Beijing’s increasing control over day-to-day Hong Kong affairs, the HKETOs serve little diplomatic purpose separate from the Chinese Embassy. Instead, they have evolved to serve two main roles: Creating and promoting propaganda for Hong Kong and Beijing, and tracking Hong Kong dissidents. 

Since 2023, the Hong Kong government has also started targeting Hong Kong dissidents in the United States by offering bounties. The HKETOs are well-situated to monitor and report back on these and other activists’ work, putting the activists’ and their families’ safety at risk.