Revoking China's trading privileges would not only hit Beijing and Hong Kong, but worsen Asia's economic crisis, Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan Fang On-sang warned.
Speaking at the start of her 10-day US tour, Mrs Chan said Asia's financial turmoil put an even greater onus on Congress' forthcoming vote on Beijing's Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status.
'This is always an important vote, but even more so in this turbulent year,' she said.
'The vote this time carries implications way beyond the issue of bilateral trade between China and the US.
'It is a vote on whether the US would like to see prolonged potential economic instability in the Asian region, or whether she would like to help by providing a more stable economic environment instead.' Mrs Chan said overturning President Bill Clinton's renewal of MFN 'would not only deal a devastating blow to business confidence in Hong Kong - when we are grappling with fallout from the regional turmoil - it would also undermine our ability to continue to play the role of firewall in the Asian financial crisis.
'Eventually, it would take away a stronghold, a powerful line of defence in the economies of the region. None of us, including the US, can afford another wave of uncertainty.' Mrs Chan's comments marked the first time an SAR official has broadened the MFN debate beyond China into the wider Asian economy.