PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Repeal the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office Act 1996
Pass legislation to close the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in light of the lack of autonomy Hong Kong now has from Beijing, by introducing legislation to repeal the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office Act 1996 through, for example, a Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Revocation) Act 2026.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
23
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 23/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 23/100,000
Background
Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Office was granted diplomatic privileges and immunities by the Act in 1996 ahead of the city's handover from Britain to China, recognising promised autonomy under “one country, two systems.” Since the 2020 National Security Law, that autonomy has ended.
The UK Government says China has undermined the “one country, two systems” and the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a legally binding treaty, while Beijing insists Hong Kong is fully part of China. We believe the basis for the office no longer exists, so it should be closed.