Exclusive | Hong Kong’s extradition proposal could undermine rule of law and competitiveness, says Tara Joseph of the American Chamber of Commerce
- Tara Joseph, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, calls on government to withdraw controversial legislation
- She says it could put off investors and damage the city’s reputation for the rule of law
Hong Kong’s leader should drop a contentious extradition bill to avoid hurting the city’s rule of law and hard-earned competitiveness, its most influential American business network has urged, amid escalating tensions that have polarised the city.
Tara Joseph, president of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), offered the advice to Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in an exclusive interview with the Post, warning that pushing the bill through would risk “shooting Hong Kong in the foot”.
Wang Zhimin, director of Beijing’s liaison office in the city finally stepped in, recently drummed up support for the bill in a closed-door meeting with Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing business and political leaders. He reportedly mounted a combative attack on the bill’s opponents, accusing Western powers of ganging up against China along with local opposition politicians.
Joseph, who was speaking before Wang’s intervention, called on the government to withdraw the bill.