US House Passes Bill Targeting Hong Kong Trade Offices and Chinese Firms Wuxi AppTec, BGI

Sep 11, 2024, 03:24 AM

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, which could lead to the closure of Hong Kong's economic and trade offices in the United States. The bill criticizes Hong Kong’s national security laws and questions the human rights situation in the city. This has drawn condemnation from Hong Kong’s government and China’s Foreign Ministry, which described the legislation as discriminatory and politically motivated. China has urged the U.S. to respect market principles and trade rules and to stop pushing forward the bill. Additionally, the bill targets Chinese biotech firms, including Wuxi AppTec and BGI, which China also condemned as discriminatory. A roll call vote on the bill will take place later today.