Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act

Increased Accountability for Hong Kong's Autonomy: The bill requires the Secretary of State to provide a separate determination and a detailed report on whether the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices merit continued privileges and immunities (Section 2(a)). This ensures that the status of these offices is regularly reviewed against the reality of Hong Kong's autonomy.

Prevention of Promoting Rights Dismantling: The bill prevents United States Government entities from entering into agreements that promote efforts to justify the dismantling of Hong Kong's autonomy or the freedoms guaranteed by the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 (Section 3(a)(3)).

Active Engagement for Human Rights: The policy established by this bill directs the United States Government to engage with the Hong Kong government to seek the release of political prisoners, an end to arbitrary detentions, a free press, free elections, and an independent judiciary (Section 4(4)).

Termination of Office Operations: If the Secretary of State determines that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices no longer merit certain privileges, immunities, or exemptions, these offices must shut down their operations within 180 days (Section 2(c)(1)).

Restrictions on Government Partnerships: United States Government entities are prohibited from entering into agreements or partnerships with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices to promote tourism, culture, or business if certain conditions regarding the Secretary of State's determination or congressional disapproval are not met (Section 3(a)).