The American Chamber of Commerce voices concern over Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
- Legislation to support the city’s democratic freedoms by putting pressure on Beijing is due for a floor vote in the House of Representatives next month
- The American Chamber of Commerce warns that some of the sanctions it stipulates could harm both the US and Hong Kong
An influential American business group on Friday warned of unintended consequences from US legislation intended to support Hong Kong’s democratic freedoms by putting pressure on Beijing, while saying it agreed with the bill’s overall objectives.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham), which has about 1,400 members, revealed for the first time its stance on the proposed Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, a bill that edged closer to becoming law on Wednesday, causing Beijing to rebuke the US for trying to interfere in its domestic affairs.
AmCham said it supported the motivations and objectives of the proposal, saying it aims to reinforce the values of freedom and openness upon which the city’s success depends, and the fundamental principle of “one country, two systems”.
However, it warned that some sanctions the bill stipulates, against officials deemed to be acting against those values, could harm both the US and Hong Kong.
“We fear [it] could have unintended, counterproductive consequences, including on American business and its ability to continue exercising a strong positive influence in favour of Hong Kong’s traditional core values,” AmCham said.
“We hope that parties to the debate will not lose sight of Hong Kong’s unique circumstances and its extraordinary, continuing achievements as a bastion of free expression, free flow of information, free markets, individual liberty, rule of law and judicial independence.”