China warns U.S. to drop bill that threatens Hong Kong offices

China will take "effective and forceful countermeasures" if the United States insists on proceeding with the legislation that could lead to the closure of Hong Kong's economic and trade offices in U.S. cities, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Passed by the U.S. House on Tuesday, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act threatens to remove the extension of certain privileges and exemptions to the offices and even terminate their operations.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition on Wednesday to the passage of the bill, saying that China has lodged solemn representations to the U.S. side.

The successful operation of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices helps expand trade cooperation between Hong Kong and relevant countries and regions and yields win-win results, Mao said.

The bill politicizes and instrumentalizes normal trade cooperation, and smears Hong Kong's institutions operating overseas, she said.

Noting that Hong Kong is the second-largest source of trade surplus for the U.S., and that more than 1,200 American companies are doing business in Hong Kong, Mao said the bill would eventually harm the U.S.' own interests.