“Any Chinese crackdown will never prevail,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman said. (Representative)
Beijing:
China on Tuesday announced the suspension of Hong Kong’s extradition treaties with Canada, Australia and Britain in a tit-for-tat move following similar rulings by those countries on a new law on controversial security.
Western countries have angered Beijing for their responses to the law imposed on Hong Kong which they see as an erosion of the civil liberties and human rights the city has enjoyed since its transfer from Britain in 1997.
The United States has decided to cancel Hong Kong’s special trade privileges while Washington’s “Five Eyes” intelligence partners suspended extradition treaties with the city, with New Zealand joining the Great Canada on Tuesday. -Brittany and Australia.
The United States has indicated that it is preparing to do the same.
China has accused countries of meddling in its internal affairs and defended the security law as crucial to restoring order in Hong Kong following a wave of protests in favor of violently tainted democracy.
“The bad action of Canada, Australia and the UK in politicizing judicial cooperation with Hong Kong has seriously damaged the basis of judicial cooperation,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang said. Wenbin during a regular press briefing.
“China has decided to suspend extradition treaties between Hong Kong and Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as cooperation agreements in criminal justice.”
Wang accused countries of using the National Security Law as “an excuse to unilaterally announce the suspension of extradition treaties” with Hong Kong.
Divisions
Britain suspended its extradition treaty last week, following action by Australia and Canada, saying the security law had “dramatically changed key assumptions”, including a provision for try some cases in mainland China.
London and Canberra have also angered Beijing by offering pathways to citizenship or residency for Hong Kong people seeking to leave due to the new law.
According to New Zealand’s updated travel advisory, the security law had led to an increased risk of arrest for activities such as protests, with the possibility of being deported to mainland China to face sentence maximum life imprisonment.
Wang on Tuesday warned that China reserves the right to respond after New Zealand suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
“Any Chinese crackdown will never prevail,” Wang said.
“China urges New Zealand to immediately correct its mistake and end all forms of interference in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, to avoid damaging Sino-New Zealand relations.”
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
