National security law: Britain will be haven for protest fugitives, Hong Kong officials and politicians say ahead of extradition deal suspension

Exco member Regina Ip warns any action by Britain will be mutual, affecting the handover of criminals between both jurisdictions

Criticism comes ahead of expected announcement by British officials after foreign secretary indicates plan

Reading Time:4 minutes

Britain has voiced concern over Hong Kong’s new national security law being used for political persecution, should fugitives be returned to the city. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:00pm, 20 Jul 2020Updated: 11:20pm, 20 Jul 2020

Britain will become a haven for Hong Kong fugitives involved in last year’s anti-government protests, city officials and politicians have said amid expectations the country will suspend its extradition treaty with its former colony.

The accusation came after British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab indicated he would unveil the suspension in parliament on Monday, following a sweeping national security law Beijing put in place for Hong Kong on June 30. Lawmakers in Britain feared the extradition arrangement could be exploited by Hong Kong for political persecution in future.

A war of words broke out between London and Beijing before the expected announcement.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that while his government would continue to engage with China, it would also get “tough on some things”. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin hit back, saying Britain should “stop going further down the wrong path”.

Since the national security law was passed, the British government has also announced that it would offer wider residency rights – which could pave the way for citizenship – to holders of British National (Overseas) passports.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. Photo: Reuters

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x