US Ends Hong Kong National Security Law Emergency Order

Kathmandu. US officials confirmed on Friday that they have decided not to extend the state of emergency declared due to security threats arising from Hong Kong's national security law.< /p>

However, the US has not provided clear information on whether Hong Kong's special trade status, revoked with the declaration of the state of emergency in July 2020, will be reinstated.< /p>

China's Ministry of Commerce welcomed the US decision, stating that this step is an important move towards implementing the consensus reached during economic and trade dialogues between the two countries.< /p>

In 2020, then-US President Donald Trump, in his first term, removed Hong Kong's special trade privileges in protest against Beijing's strict control over Hong Kong. He then declared a national emergency, stating that China's actions posed an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to US national security.< /p>

The White House had been renewing that emergency order every year since then. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the US recently informed Beijing of its decision to end the order.< /p>

However, a spokesperson for the US State Department said that although the state of emergency is ending, other provisions of the previously issued executive order will remain in effect. He claimed that under US law, there are no longer sufficient grounds to treat Hong Kong differently from China.< /p>

According to the US Treasury Department, 39 out of 48 individuals previously sanctioned under the emergency are still under sanctions through another law. The ministry stated that the decision not to renew the emergency was part of the process of updating sanctions measures.< /p>

After the UK handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997, the region enjoyed special autonomy and a separate economic status. However, since China implemented the national security law in 2020, there has been international criticism regarding the state of Hong Kong's autonomy and civil liberties.< /p>

The Hong Kong government stated that it is taking note of the change in US policy and expects normal economic and trade relations to be re-established between both sides.< /p>

 < /p>