American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong shows ‘long-term commitment’ to city with new office purchase in Central

Move unveiled on heels of Biden administration advisory to US businesses underscoring threats posed by national security law

Business group intends to ‘navigate the challenges’, AmCham president says, and will move into Hong Kong Diamond Exchange Building space next year

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The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong plans to renovate its new office space in Central, creating a collaborative working space. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 2:58pm, 17 Jul 2021Updated: 10:57pm, 17 Jul 2021

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham), one of the city’s most influential business groups, has bought an office in the heart of the city, its top representative has said, showing its long-term commitment at a time when Washington is warning of rising operational risks.

Chamber president Tara Joseph told the Post on Saturday that the property was located on the 22nd floor of the Hong Kong Diamond Exchange Building on Duddell Street in Central.

She said the office would be renovated, turning it into a collaborative working space and community hub for its guests and 1,400 members, with designs already well under way. The chamber will move into the space in 2022.

“It is a long-term commitment,” she said. “We intend to navigate the challenges, as we believe Hong Kong is a critical global business hub.”

In escalating actions against Beijing and Hong Kong, US President Joe Biden on late Friday night issued a business advisory to US firms about risks presented by the national security law and sanctioned seven Chinese officials from the city’s liaison office.