Advertisement

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam: I never handed over a fugitive to mainland China against US wishes

City leader’s office rebuts allegation in State Department report that she rejected its extradition request ‘at the behest’ of the central government last October

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor speaks during the question and answer section at Legislative Chamber in Tamar last week. Photo: SCMP/ Dickson Lee
Hong Kong’s leader has categorically denied ever surrendering any fugitive to mainland China, strongly objecting to the United States government’s allegation that she did so on Beijing’s orders last year.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s office released a statement on Thursday night, expressing “deep regret” over the US State Department’s claim on Tuesday in its annual report that she had turned down an extradition request “at the behest” of the central government last October.

The report did not give details of the case, but stated that a detainee was released into “central government custody” on the basis that Beijing was “pursuing a separate criminal action”.

Advertisement
Pan-democratic lawmaker James To said a fuller explanation should have been given to the US as to why the extradition request was rejected. Photo: Sam Tsang
Pan-democratic lawmaker James To said a fuller explanation should have been given to the US as to why the extradition request was rejected. Photo: Sam Tsang

“This was the first such instance since 1997,” it said of the refusal. “The central government has provided no information as to the disposition of its own case against the individual.”

“Currently, there is no surrender of fugitive offenders arrangement between [Hong Kong] and the mainland,” her office said. “Therefore, no surrender of a fugitive has ever been made to the mainland. The [Hong Kong] government deals with any movement of persons in and out of Hong Kong in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong.”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x