The United Kingdom announced on Monday 20 July that it would suspend “immediately and indefinitely” the extradition treaty between London and Hong Kong in response to China’s imposition of controversial security law in the former British colony.
This decision was made in reaction to China’s imposition of controversial security law in the former British colony. London considers that this law undermines the freedoms guaranteed in the Special Administrative Region.
In a much-anticipated announcement in Parliament, the head of British diplomacy, Dominic Raab, also announced the extension to Hong Kong of the “potentially deadly” arms embargo already applied to China.
London considers that the new law undermines the freedoms guaranteed in the Special Administrative Region – including the independence of the judiciary. The suspension of the treaty prevents Hong Kong from seeking the extradition of any of its nationals from the UK for trial or incarceration on its soil.
Boris Johnson for “balance” against China
Visiting a school in Kent (South East) on Monday morning, Johnson said there was a need for “balance” in the UK’s position against China. The prime minister said he would maintain a “hard” line, but that he would not become “automatically anti-China”. The United States, Australia, and Canada have already suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong.
The Chinese government has already reacted to the possible suspension through Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “These remarks about Hong Kong ignore the fact that the National Security Law is in line with the One China, Two Systems project,” he said; referring to the principle of governance governing the Special Administrative Region since its handover to Beijing in 1997.
The Hong Kong and Beijing authorities are advocating the new law, which they consider essential to close the loopholes in national security revealed by recent pro-democracy and anti-Chinese protests;; and China has repeatedly called on the major Western powers to stop their “interference” in the matter.
“Change is coming”…
“I have spoken to many Members of Parliament on this issue, and I have received very strong support for the idea of suspending the extradition treaty with Hong Kong. Change is coming,” welcomed, a few hours before the likely announcement of the suspension, Nathan Law, one of the leaders of the opposition to the pro-Peking government of Carrie Lam, who decided in mid-July to go into exile in London.
At the beginning of July, London had announced that it would extend access to its territory for nearly three million Hong Kong nationals eligible for a British Overseas Passport (BNO). They will be able to work in the United Kingdom for five years, as opposed to six months at present, and eventually apply for citizenship.
The move, which comes after months of pro-democracy protests, has angered Beijing. It applies to those eligible for a BNO, namely Hong Kong nationals born before the handover, and their children if they have not reached the age of majority.
Source: Le Monde
