Hong Kong Trade Development Council has hired Legislative Strategies to a one-year government relations contract for a lump sum of $333,000.

According to the representation contract, the bipartisan shop will work "to prevent or minimize any negative impact that action taken by the US, including action against Hong Kong's major trading partners, may have on the economic well-being" of the city that is part of the People's Republic of China.

LS is to cultivate positive perceptions of Hong Kong "among influential opinion formers and decision makers in the US."

It will promote Hong Kong as a separate entity of the PRC, enshrined in its "One Country, Two Systems" governing principle, while highlighting the city's role as an international gateway business in the PRC and the rest of Asia.

Larry Smith and Ronna Freiberg are principals at the shop. He's a staffer to former Republican Senator Mark Hatfield, GOP staff director of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and senior VP at Burson-Marsteller.

She was LA director to VP Al Gore, director of the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Clinton White House, chief of staff to Jersey Congressman Peter Rodino and senior VP at Gray & Co.

They work on the Hong Kong business. If either leaves the account, Hong Kong has the right to terminate the pact.