This section states that the act can be officially referred to as the "Hong Kong Policy Act of 2024."

The section provides definitions for specific terms used in a legislative act. It explains the meanings of various terms, including "alien," "appropriate congressional committees," and "foreign person," and references related laws and agreements involving the United States, Hong Kong, and China.

The bill discusses the ongoing issues surrounding Hong Kong's autonomy following its transfer to China, noting that the Chinese government has not honored promises of autonomy and has imposed laws that restrict freedoms. It highlights instances of repression, including the use of the National Security Law to suppress dissent and target activists, and mentions international criticism of these actions.

Congress acknowledges that the People's Republic of China has repeatedly undermined Hong Kong's autonomy and violated human rights, despite promises made in the Joint Declaration. The enactment of the National Security Law and other security measures has resulted in the curtailment of civil rights, political repression, and transnational persecution, impacting various groups including pro-democracy activists, journalists, and international communities.

The amended section of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act expresses Congress's view that China has violated its commitments to allow Hong Kong autonomy and democratic rights. It argues for an updated U.S. policy that supports the people of Hong Kong in their quest for human rights, democracy, and autonomy, and calls on the U.S. and its allies to oppose China's attempts to impose its authoritarian model both in Hong Kong and globally.

The section suggests that Congress believes the United States should update its policy toward Hong Kong to protect U.S. national security and support the autonomy, human rights, and democratic aspirations of Hong Kong's people. It criticizes China's actions in Hong Kong and urges international collaboration to support Hong Kongers and highlight human rights violations.

The amended section of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 declares that the United States will no longer grant Hong Kong special privileges and emphasizes support for Hong Kong's democratic efforts and human rights, including the release of prisoners. It also stresses collaboration with international partners to pressure China and provide assistance to those affected by repression. Additionally, it highlights the importance of informing U.S. citizens and businesses about risks in Hong Kong.

The section outlines the United States policy toward Hong Kong, emphasizing that Hong Kong should not receive special treatment separate from China. It supports Hong Kongers' rights to choose their leaders, calls for the release of prisoners of conscience, seeks accountability for human rights violations, and aims to work with allies to uphold human rights and autonomy in Hong Kong. Additionally, it provides support for human rights initiatives and guidance for U.S. entities in Hong Kong.

The section outlines changes to the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, stating that U.S. laws will apply to Hong Kong just like they do to China, but the President can treat Hong Kong differently in certain cases for national security interests. These changes will take effect 270 days after the Act is enacted.

The United States Government intends to support democracy, human rights, and civilian security in Hong Kong by leveraging existing resources and collaborating with various agencies and organizations. Additionally, $5 million per year is authorized from 2026 to 2030 to support these efforts, with the Department of State overseeing the allocation and management of these funds.

The bill establishes the Hong Kong Internet Freedom Program within the U.S. Department of State to support internet freedom in Hong Kong through grants for projects like online information access and digital security. The program will operate independently from similar efforts in mainland China until 2030, and $5 million is authorized annually from 2026 to 2030 to support its initiatives.

The section requires the Secretary of Commerce, along with other agencies, to report each year on requests from the Hong Kong government for U.S. entities to remove content or assist with law enforcement in Hong Kong, detailing how many were fulfilled, which entities complied, and the laws under which the requests were made. The report must be unclassified but can include a classified index; it is to be shared with certain congressional committees and the public.

The section outlines a requirement for the President to create a strategy for U.S. engagement with Hong Kong within 180 days, considering the impact on trade, the financial system, immigration, and cultural exchanges, while promoting human rights and consulting with Congress and international allies.

In reports sent to Congress about different countries, there must be a special part about Hong Kong included under the section for the country that governs it. This applies to reports about human rights and trade barriers.

The Secretary of State must submit a yearly report to Congress about Hong Kong's status, covering topics like human rights, legal independence, and U.S. actions regarding Hong Kong. If Hong Kong regains enough autonomy, the report should also recommend if it should be treated differently from mainland China.

The section mandates the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress about various aspects of Hong Kong's status, including human rights, law enforcement, Hong Kong's international participation, and U.S. actions regarding human rights abuses and sanctions in Hong Kong. Additionally, if Hong Kong regains sufficient autonomy, the report should provide a justification and a recommendation on whether the U.S. should consider treating Hong Kong differently from mainland China under U.S. law.

The section details that Congress believes the Secretary of State should update travel advisories for Hong Kong every two years. It also directs the Secretary of State to update a Business Advisory about the risks to U.S. businesses in Hong Kong due to changes in local laws but allows for an exception if there's no need for an update.

The section extends the power to impose sanctions under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act from 5 years to 10 years.

The amendment to the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 ensures that U.S. visa laws continue to be applied to Hong Kong residents as before, treats Hong Kong separately from China for immigration purposes, and protects Hong Kong residents who were subjected to politically motivated actions from being denied visas or having their previous political issues count against them in visa applications.

Hong Kong residents in the United States are granted temporary protected status for a 5-year period, provided they meet certain requirements like being a permanent resident of Hong Kong, having been continuously present in the U.S. since the enactment of the Act, and registering for the status as outlined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Additionally, those with temporary protected status can travel abroad for emergencies with prior consent from the Secretary of Homeland Security and will be treated as other returning aliens with similar status upon return.

The bill allows highly skilled residents of Hong Kong to apply for special immigrant status in the United States if they meet certain conditions, such as having lived in Hong Kong for at least 10 years, holding a degree, and passing security checks. A maximum of 5,000 principal immigrants can qualify each year for five years, and their spouses and children are also eligible; however, these immigrants are not counted against other immigration limits, and the government prioritizes applications in science and technology fields.

The bill mandates that certain residents of Hong Kong, who face persecution for their peaceful political activities, be designated as Priority 2 refugees and allowed to apply for admission to the United States without being subject to usual immigration quotas. It ensures their applications won't be denied due to political arrests and requires annual reporting on the application process's progress and outcomes, which the State Department must make publicly available online.

The bill extends the ban on selling certain weapons to the Hong Kong Police Force until December 31, 2034. This updates a previous law by changing the expiration date of the prohibition.