According to the Ministry of Commerce website, on July 17, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions regarding the United States' decision to no longer extend emergency status to countries involving Hong Kong.
Reporter asked: It has been noted that the United States has not extended the “Presidential Executive Order on Normalization of Hong Kong” (No. 13936), which expired on July 14, to date. Does this mean that the executive order related to Hong Kong has been terminated? What is China's comment on this?
Answer: The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant situation. During the Sino-US economic and trade negotiations in Madrid, the US side made commitments regarding issues related to Hong Kong and investments. Recently, the US side confirmed to the Chinese side that the state of emergency in relation to Hong Kong mentioned in Executive Order No. 13936 will not be extended after it expires this year, and this order will cease to exist. The US actions are an important step towards fulfilling the consensus reached in the bilateral economic and trade negotiations, and the Chinese side expresses its appreciation for this.
Maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong is in the common interests of China and the United States. The positive adjustment of the US policy towards Hong Kong also meets the expectations of the international community. It is hoped that the US will abide by relevant international conventions and bilateral agreements, respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, restore and strengthen normal economic and trade relations with Hong Kong, and play a positive role in building constructive strategic stability between China and the United States.
Business Ministry Website Screenshot
The so-called “Presidential Executive Order on Normalization of Hong Kong” (Executive Order No. 13936) is an executive directive signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 14, 2020, aimed at suspending special treatment granted to Hong Kong and imposing sanctions.
This executive order terminates the provisions regarding Hong Kong’s special status in the U.S-Hong Kong Policy Act, and authorizes the U.S. government to take the following measures: Revocation of special treatment: Suspending or revoking the special preferential treatment granted to Hong Kong under U.S. law, thereby treating Hong Kong as if it were part of mainland China.
On July 17, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government stated that the United States's decision to no longer extend emergency measures related to Hong Kong countries is an important step in fulfilling the consensus reached in Sino-US economic and trade consultations. Maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability serves the common interests of China and the United States, as well as the general expectations of the international community. The SAR Government affirms the positive trend in the US policies towards Hong Kong, and hopes that the US will respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, as well as resume and strengthen normal economic and trade relations with Hong Kong.
