Beijing’s top man in Hong Kong lashes out at international critics of contentious extradition bill and vows to ‘take them on all the way’
- Beijing’s liaison office director Wang Zhimin categorically rules out any alternative or amendment to the bill
- Wang singles out US Consul General Kurt Tong and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and accuses Western powers of ganging up on China
Beijing’s top representative in Hong Kong has launched an unprecedented broadside at international critics of the city’s controversial extradition bill, accusing them of ganging up against China and vowing to “take them on all the way” to protect the country’s sovereignty.
Several sources said Wang Zhimin, director of Beijing’s liaison office in the city, was defiant and combative over the issue in a two-hour meeting on Friday with more than 250 local loyalists, mostly deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
The sources said Wang categorically ruled out any alternative or amendment to the contentious bill, which would allow the transfer of suspects to jurisdictions with which the city does not have an extradition deal – including mainland China, which is the main bone of contention for those who fear the new legislation will be used to victimise Beijing’s critics in Hong Kong.
Counter proposals such as putting suspects wanted overseas on trial in the city only, expanding Hong Kong’s judicial power and shelving the bill altogether were not feasible, Wang insisted.
The sources cited him as stressing that if China could not put its own citizens on trial within its own borders, it would be tantamount to granting Hong Kong extraterritoriality.
