“We are extremely concerned about the situation in Hong Kong,” said Justin Trudeau
Ottawa:
On Friday, Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong to protest the harsh new national security law that China has enacted in the financial center.
Canada is also suspending exports of sensitive military equipment to Hong Kong and updating its travel advisory for the city so that Canadians know how the law could affect them, said the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“Canada firmly believes in the” one country, two systems “framework,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, referring to the semi-autonomous model adopted after Britain’s return to Hong Kong in China in 1997.
“We are extremely concerned about the situation in Hong Kong,” he said at a media availability.
Trudeau said the “one country, two systems” principle was important not only for the city’s 7.5 million people, but for the 300,000 Canadians who live there.
“This is why we will continue to examine the measures that we can take to ensure the safety of its citizens,” he said, mentioning possible new “immigration” measures, without any details.
Chinese law passed this week prohibits acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Beijing has faced a wave of criticism, mainly from Western countries, of the law, which dramatically increases China’s control over Hong Kong.
Chinese leaders say the power package will restore stability after a year of sometimes violent protests and will not hamper freedoms.
But the police have already started arresting people for possession of protest flags and banners, and the Hong Kong government has made it clear that certain political views, particularly calls for independence, are now prohibited.
The law was promulgated in secret, without the participation of the legislative, judicial or popular body of Hong Kong, and in violation of international obligations, said Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, François-Philippe Champagne.
“This process demonstrated contempt for the Hong Kong Basic Law and the high degree of autonomy promised for Hong Kong under one country, two systems,” said the minister.
“Hong Kong’s role as a global hub has been built on this foundation. Without this, Canada is forced to reassess existing arrangements.”
Relations between Canada and China have been strained due to ongoing extradition proceedings against a leader of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, wanted in the United States, suspected of having violated sanctions against Iran.
Trudeau recently dismissed calls to intervene and trade this executive, Meng Wanzhou, for two Canadians detained in China for spying.
Meng was arrested in Canada in December 2018 at the request of the American authorities.
The two Canadians – former diplomat Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, consultant and businessman – were arrested in China a few days later.
Their detention is seen in the West as retaliation for Meng’s arrest – an assertion that Beijing has repeatedly denied.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
