Britain voiced concerns over Hong Kong extradition law changes
- Consul general Andrew Heyn says he spoke to senior figures in the city’s administration to seek clarity on what the proposed law would mean for British citizens
- Chris Patten says British foreign secretary told him in a letter his department had lodged concerns with local government departments
The British government has formally voiced concerns about a plan to change Hong Kong extradition law, including allowing fugitives to be handed to mainland China.
London expressed its views through its consul general Andrew Heyn, who lodged initial concerns with the Hong Kong government, including security minister John Lee Ka-chiu and commerce chief Edward Yau Tang-wah.
Heyn said: “I have spoken to senior figures in Hong Kong’s administration to seek clarity on what these proposals would mean for UK citizens, for our law enforcement cooperation and for our current extradition arrangements. And I have raised the possible impact of the proposals on business confidence in Hong Kong. I have also explained our concern that, given the sensitivity of the issues raised by these proposals, more time should be allowed for a full and wide consultation with interested parties.”
It is the first time Britain has expressed formal concerns over the proposed legal amendments, which would allow fugitives to be handed over to any jurisdiction with which the city lacks an extradition deal.
When asked about the British government’s lodged concern, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Monday that it was an internal affair of the HKSAR government as well as China’s and other countries had no right to interfere.
“If other countries use this as an excuse to interfere in China’s domestic affairs, we are against it and we think it does not make any sense,” Lu said. He added that the amendment proposal was a necessary measure for Hong Kong to strengthen collaboration with other regions and countries, which was borne out by cases in reality.
