Hong Kong No 2 official Matthew Cheung fails to win over AmCham in meeting on controversial extradition bill
- Chamber says city is ‘not ready’ for new legislation, insisting that uncertainties remain even after talks a day earlier with chief secretary
- Group fires more questions at government over diplomats’ concerns and how it can ensure that requesting jurisdictions have fair legal systems
Hong Kong’s No 2 official has failed to win over a leading international business chamber after a meeting over the controversial extradition bill, with officials facing yet another wave of questions.
A statement by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham) on Thursday revealed a lack of progress in talks a day earlier with Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, who sought to allay fears from the business sector.
The government is pushing for legislative amendments which would allow the transfer of fugitives in Hong Kong to places with which the city has no extradition deal, including mainland China.
“AmCham feels that there are too many uncertainties in fundamental sections of the proposed legislation that must be addressed and explained to the broader Hong Kong community, before tabling the bill for passage by the Legislative Council,” the statement read.
“Hong Kong is not ready to see this bill passed, and we do not see why it should be rushed through when the loophole it seeks to address has existed for 20 years.”
Hong Kong is not ready to see this bill passed