Relationship dossier
Hong Kong
United States
Relationship assessment
Practical bilateral cooperation has been strained by U.S. measures and political disputes
Hong Kong toward United States
+10The Hong Kong government has participated in bilateral legal cooperation, including extradition arrangements with the United States, and has criticized U.S. sanctions and policy measures. Hong Kong’s external affairs are principally handled by China, limiting the scope of independent local foreign policy.
United States toward Hong Kong
-30The United States has maintained substantial economic engagement with Hong Kong but has imposed sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials and curtailed Hong Kong’s former special treatment under U.S. law. It also suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong.
Overall relationship
-15The relationship combines established economic and legal links with a marked deterioration in political and security-related cooperation. U.S. sanctions, changes to Hong Kong’s special treatment, and suspension of the extradition agreement are significant sources of friction, while bilateral economic engagement and Hong Kong’s limited local role in external affairs remain part of the relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Hong Kong’s external affairs are principally handled by China, while the Hong Kong government administers some economic and legal cooperation. Hong Kong and the United States have maintained bilateral arrangements, including extradition cooperation. Relations have also faced political friction: Hong Kong officials have criticized U.S. measures, and the United States has imposed sanctions and curtailed aspects of its former special treatment of Hong Kong.
Areas of tension
- U.S. sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials
- U.S. changes to Hong Kong’s special treatment
- Suspension of the U.S.–Hong Kong extradition agreement
Key developments
The United States suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong.
The United States imposed sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials and curtailed Hong Kong’s special treatment under U.S. law.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and current implementation of Hong Kong–United States economic and legal cooperation are unclear.
- The extent to which Hong Kong authorities independently shape policy toward the United States is limited by the division of responsibilities with China.