U. S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) has announced that the House of Representatives has passed his bill to remove diplomatic immunities from Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs). This move is part of the "China Week" effort to address economic aggression and espionage by the Chinese Communist Party.
Smith, who authored the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to impose sanctions on Hong Kong for its human rights abuses, has seen his new bill pass the House. This follows the recent arrest of Linda Sun, a former aide to New York Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, for allegedly acting as an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, according to a press release by Smith.
The HKETO Certification Act, introduced on February 17, 2023, requires the president to annually review whether the HKETOs should retain immunities and privileges under the International Organizations Immunities Act. If the president determines that these offices no longer deserve such status, they must cease operations in the U.S. within 180 days. If certification is affirmed, the HKETOs can continue operating for another year unless Congress passes a resolution against it. Additionally, federal agencies may only partner with HKETOs if they are authorized under this bill.
"We have all been reminded recently of the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to corrupt and co-opt American leaders and silence dissenting voices in the United States," said Smith. "There is absolutely no reason why we should allow China’s Communist regime to have official representative offices in our country."
Smith was elected in 1980 and is currently serving his 22nd term representing New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District. He serves as a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and holds key roles such as Chairman of the Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.