Increasingly-expressed fears about the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy could lead to trade consequences, a report submitted to the United States congress suggests.
In its latest report, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommended the US assess its export policy on technology to the city, as it relates to the treatment of Hong Kong and China as separate customs areas.
“China’s encroachment on the territory’s political system, rule of law, and freedom of expression is moving Hong Kong closer to becoming more like any [other] Chinese city rather than a special administrative region with a “high degree of autonomy,” the report reads.
Treaties that see Hong Kong treated as a separate economic entity from China are based on the city’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ arrangement enshrined in the Basic Law.
But increasingly, the report notes, there have been “troubling” cases of Beijing’s involvement in Hong Kong’s affairs.
The report lists a litany of cases of concern. They include Beijing blocking a US extradition request made to Hong Kong, the banning of a pro-separatist party, the effective expulsion of a Financial Times editor and the official denouncement of academic Benny Tai for discussing the topic of independence.
The report also noted the implications of the recently-opened Express Rail line, which sees Chinese security officials enforce mainland laws in an area of the West Kowloon terminus, and pointed to the looming national security law.
“Beijing’s statements and legislative actions continue to run counter to China’s promise to uphold Hong Kong’s ‘high degree of autonomy’,” it noted.
The Hong Kong government, however, remained defiant, expressing “regret” over “the biased conclusions and unfounded accusations made in the report.”
“Under the Basic Law, Hong Kong is a separate customs territory and we remain committed to enforcing strategic trade controls. Hong Kong has, and will continue to maintain, close co-operation with the United States on the matter.”
However, according to RTHK, some lawmakers wary.
Speaking on a program hosted by the public broadcaster, leader of the pro-establishment Liberal Party Felix Chung urged the government to immediately send representatives to the US to lobby officials to protect the city’s separate status.
He said the “Hong Kong will be finished” if the US, the city’s second largest trading partner, started treating it like just another Chinese city.
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