China welcomes US decision not to extend Hong Kong-related national emergency

China welcomes a US decision not to extend a Hong Kong-related national emergency, calling the move an important step in implementing the consensus reached during China-US economic and trade consultations, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Friday.

The emergency was declared in 2020 under Executive Order 13936 signed by the US president.

During China-US economic and trade consultations in Madrid last year, the United States made commitments on issues including Hong Kong and investment. The United States recently confirmed to China that it would not extend the Hong Kong-related national emergency after its expiration in 2026 and that Executive Order 13936 will be terminated, the MOC spokesperson said.

Maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability serves the common interests of China and the United States, the spokesperson said, adding that the adjustment to the US policy toward Hong Kong in a positive direction also meets the broader expectations of the international community.

China hopes the United States will honor relevant international conventions and the consensus reached by the two sides, respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and restore and strengthen normal economic and trade ties with Hong Kong, the spokesperson said.

Such efforts would contribute positively to building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, the spokesperson added.