Australia shelves China extradition treaty, after opponents raise human rights concerns

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has shelved plans to ratify an extradition treaty with China, after lawmakers raised questions about Beijing’s justice and human rights records.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement on Tuesday that Turnbull withdrew the treaty after Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten said his bloc wouldn’t support ratification this week. Sky News earlier reported the prime minister realised the resolution faced defeat in the Senate.

The move comes days after a state visit to Australia by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who said he respected the nation’s choices in foreign policy. Tensions between the trading partners rose when Bishop used a speech in Singapore earlier this month to say democracy was crucial for nations to reach their economic potential, and called on China to be a responsible global player.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that the treaty would help in the fight against transnational crime and promote judicial and law enforcement cooperation.

“We hope Australia can bear in mind the general picture of bilateral relations and proceed with its relevant domestic procedures so as to make the treaty come into force as soon as possible,” Hua said.