Increasingly-expressed fears about the erosion of Hong Kong鈥檚 autonomy could lead to trade consequences, a report submitted to the United States congress suggests.
In its latest report, , as it relates to the treatment of Hong Kong and China as separate customs areas.聽
鈥淐hina鈥檚 encroachment on the territory鈥檚 political system, rule of law, and freedom of expression is moving Hong 聽Kong closer to becoming more like any [other] Chinese city rather than a special administrative region with a 鈥渉igh degree of autonomy,鈥 the report reads.
Treaties that see Hong Kong treated as a separate economic entity from China are聽based聽on the city鈥檚 high degree of autonomy under the 鈥榦ne country, two systems鈥 arrangement enshrined in the Basic Law.
But increasingly, the report notes, there have been 鈥渢roubling鈥 cases of Beijing鈥檚 involvement in Hong Kong鈥檚 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.
鈥淏eijing鈥檚 statements and legislative actions continue to run counter to China鈥檚 promise to uphold Hong Kong鈥檚 鈥榟igh degree of autonomy鈥,鈥 it noted.
The Hong Kong government, however, remained defiant, expressing 鈥渞egret鈥 over 鈥渢he biased conclusions and unfounded accusations made in the report.鈥
“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.鈥
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 .
He said the “Hong Kong will be finished” if the US, the city鈥檚 second largest trading partner, started treating it like just another Chinese city.
