Petition · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Repeal the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office Act 1996
Open for signatures
4,749 signatures
What the petition asks
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.
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.
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.
Timeline
| 27 Apr 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
4,749
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Opened
27 Apr 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.