China has expressed concern over manipulation by side of the United States on the issues of Hong Kong and the impact on its development, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, reports Reuters, quoted by News.bg.
The comments come in the context of a bill passed by the US House of Representatives that could lead to the closure of Hong Kong's economic and trade offices in the United States.
"The bill politicizes and instrumentalizes normal economic and trade cooperation, deliberately tarnishes Hong Kong's overseas agencies,", Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said during a regular press briefing.
The bipartisan Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices Certification Act (HKETO) would allow the US president to remove the privileges and immunities of trade offices in Washington, New York and San Francisco if they do not demonstrate a "high degree of autonomy" ; from China and for other purposes.
According to the law, if HKETOs are found to no longer deserve these privileges and immunities, they must cease operations in the United States no later than 180 days after the Congressional certification is delivered.
The bill passed by an overwhelming 413-3 majority on Tuesday. To take effect, it must be approved by the US Senate and then signed by President Joe Biden.
The Hong Kong government said in a statement on Wednesday that it "strongly condemns" The US House of Representatives for using the law to defame Hong Kong's national security protection laws and tarnish Hong Kong's human rights situation.
Hong Kong has 14 overseas HKETOs, including in the UK, Germany, Australia and Canada. In May, Britain arrested and charged three men, including HKETO's UK manager, on suspicion of collaborating with Hong Kong's foreign intelligence agency.