Call to urge your legislators to support HKETO Certification Act

We are calling on Hong Kongers in the US to join ‍Call4HK in writing to your legislators, urging them to support the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act.

The HKETO Certification Act would require the Department of State to review yearly the diplomatic privileges granted to the three HKETOs in the US, in Washington DC, New York, and San Francisco. The bill was reintroduced as H.R.2661 by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) on 7 April 2025 and as S.3655 by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) on 15 January 2026.

Research by Hong Kong Watch has previously found that the HKETOs are afforded similar privileges and immunities in US law to diplomatic embassies and consulates. As de facto embassies for the Hong Kong government, they are increasingly used to promote the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda abroad. We have also raised concerns about the potential role of HKETOs in coordinating transnational repression against Hong Kong activists in the US, UK and Canada.

This initiative followed the conviction of the father of US-based activist Anna Kwok, the sentencing of Jimmy Lai, and the escalating threat of transnational repression by the Hong Kong and Chinese regimes. Passing the bill would send a clear message that transnational repression will not be tolerated on American soil.

You can learn more and join the initiative here.

You can read Hong Kong Watch’s latest research into Hong Kong’s special privileges here.

‍Call4HK is an online platform that empowers US-based Hong Kongers to voice their concerns to Congress and strengthen the diaspora by showcasing Hong Kong-related events across the United States.

呼籲居美港人響應一人一信行動  促請國會議員支持《香港經貿辦認證法案》

香港監察現呼籲居美港人響應網上平台「‍Call4HK」發起的一人一信行動，促請所在選區的國會議員支持《香港經濟貿易辦事處認證法案》（Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act）。

《香港經貿辦認證法案》要求美國國務院每年審視華盛頓、紐約和三藩市三個香港經貿辦所享有的外交特權。共和黨眾議員史密斯（Chris Smith）於2025年4月7日重新提出法案，編號為H.R.2661；​​民主黨參議員默克利（Jeff Merkley）再於2026年1月15日重推法案，編號為S.3655。

香港監察研究早前發現，香港經貿辦根據美國法律享有與外交使領館類似的特權和豁免權。香港經貿辦實際上充當香港政府的大使館，愈來愈被用作中共大外宣工具。我們亦關注香港經貿辦在協調跨國鎮壓美國、英國和加拿大香港社運人士上的潛在角色。

這項行動因應居美社運人士郭鳯儀父親被定罪、黎智英被重判，以及香港和中國政權跨國鎮壓威脅升級而發起。法案若獲通過，將傳達清晰信息：美國絕不容忍跨國鎮壓行為。

請在此處了解詳情並參與行動。

請在此處閱覽香港監察有關香港特殊權利的最新研究。

「‍Call4HK」網上平台旨在賦權居美港人向國會表達訴求，並透過在美國各地舉行香港相關活動，壯大離散社群的力量。

Photo: AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons