HONG KONG, July 17 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Friday that the U.S. decision not to renew the national emergency relating to Hong Kong marks an important step taken by the U.S. side in implementing the consensus reached during economic and trade consultation between China and the United States.

Photo shows a view by Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, south China, June 11, 2020. (File photo: Xinhua)

The spokesperson said that safeguarding Hong Kong's prosperity and stability serves the common interests of China and the United States, and also aligns with the general expectation of the international community. The HKSAR government noted this positive shift in the U.S. policy on Hong Kong and looked upon the U.S. side to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in the HKSAR, and resume and strengthen normal economic and trade exchanges with the HKSAR.

As of now, the United States has not extended the Hong Kong-related national emergency under Executive Order 13936, which expired on July 14. During China-U.S. economic and trade consultations in Madrid last year, the U.S. side 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.