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United States · Law · S

S. 1731 (102nd)

United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

20 September 1991

Last action

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Status

Became Public Law No: 102-383.

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Subjects

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Source updated

23 January 2025

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Summary

United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1991 - Title I: United States Policy - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to the U.S. relationship with Hong Kong: (1) the United States should seek to establish direct bilateral ties with Hong Kong in economic, shipping, communications, tourism, cultural, sport, and other matters to the extent that Hong Kong is allowed to exercise autonomy in these fields under the 1984 Joint Declaration of the Governments of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and China on the question of Hong Kong; (2) the United States should seek to maintain after July 1, 1997, with the authorization of the Chinese Government, the U.S. Consulate-General in Hong Kong and other U.S. official and semi-official organizations; (3) the United States should invite Hong Kong to maintain, after such date, its official and semi-official missions in the United States and to open other missions in those fields in which it is permitted to exercise autonomy under the Joint Declaration; (4) the United States should seek to reach agreements with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Administrative Region) in such fields, particularly with respect to reduction or abolishment of visa restrictions hindering U.S. nationals seeking to work in Hong Kong and covering Hong Kong residents seeking to work in the United States; (5) the United States should recognize passports and travel documents issued by the Administrative Region; and (6) the Chinese Government's exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong should not affect treatment of Hong Kong residents who apply for visas to visit the United States. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to participation by Hong Kong in multilateral organizations: (1) the United States should support Hong Kong's participation in multilateral organizations open to non-states which are concerned with those matters in which Hong Kong is permitted to exercise autonomy under the Joint Declaration; (2) the United States should continue to fulfill its obligations to Hong Kong under international agreements, so long as Hong Kong reciprocates; (3) the United States should support Hong Kong's application to join all multilateral international conferences, agreements, and organizations; and (4) the United States should support Hong Kong's continued participation after July 1, 1997, under the name Hong Kong, China, in all such conferences, agreements, and organizations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to commerce between the United States and Hong Kong: (1) the United States should seek to maintain and expand economic and trade relations with Hong Kong and should continue to treat Hong Kong as a separate territory in economic and trade matters (even after July 1, 1997); (2) the United States should continue to negotiate directly with Hong Kong to conclude bilateral economic agreements (even after July 1, 1997); (3) the United States should continue to consider Hong Kong for most-favored-nation trade status and to recognize certificates of origin for manufactured goods issued by the Administrative Region; (4) the United States should continue to allow the U.S. dollar to be freely exchanged with the Hong Kong dollar and U.S. businesses should continue to operate in Hong Kong; (5) the United States should continue to support Hong Kong's access to sensitive technologies; (6) the United States should encourage Hong Kong to continue to develop a framework which provides protection for intellectual property rights; and (7) the United States should negotiate a bilateral investment treaty with Hong Kong. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to transportation from Hong Kong: (1) the United States should continue to recognize ships and airplanes registered in Hong Kong and negotiate air service agreements directly with Hong Kong; (2) the United States should continue to recognize ships registered by Hong Kong after July 1, 1997, and U.S. commercial ships should remain free to port in Hong Kong; (3) the United States should recognize licenses issued by the Administrative Region to Hong Kong airlines; (4) the United States should recognize permits issued by the Administrative Region to U.S. airlines for specified services; (5) the United States should negotiate with the Administrative Region to renew or amend all air service agreements existing on June 30, 1997, and to conclude new air service agreements affecting all flights to, from, or through China; and (6) the United States should negotiate with the Administrative Region about arrangements to implement international aviation agreements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to cultural and educational exchanges with Hong Kong: (1) the United States should seek to maintain and expand U.S.-Hong Kong relations and exchanges in culture, education, science, and academic research; (2) the Administrative Region should be accorded individual status as a full partner in the Fulbright Program; and (3) the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress should seek to expand educational and informational ties with the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Title II: The Status of Hong Kong in United States Law - Continues to treat Hong Kong as a separate territory under U.S. law after July 1, 1997. Approves the continuation in force of all treaties entered into by the United States and Hong Kong before such date. Title III: Reporting Provisions - Directs the Secretary to submit to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: (1) a report on the degree to which the Joint Declaration is being implemented; and (2) a separate subreport (with respect to country reports) on Hong Kong.

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11 official files

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