Australia suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong, offers pathway to residency for Hongkongers
- Canberra’s move to allow 10,000 Hongkongers on student and temporary visas to stay on in response to the national security law has been condemned by Beijing
- New Zealand is reviewing its ties with Hong Kong, including extradition arrangements and exports of strategic goods
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday said the national security law constituted “a fundamental change of circumstances in respect to our extradition agreement with Hong Kong” and Australia had “formally notified Hong Kong and advised the Chinese authorities” of the decision.
In response, China slammed Australia’s move as a serious violation of international law.
“It grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs. China will not accept it, and expresses strong condemnation. China reserves the right to take action, and Australia will have to bear all consequences because of that,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
Earlier, a spokesman at China’s embassy in Canberra issued a statement saying Australia’s “meddling in Hong Kong’s affairs and China’s internal affairs ... will lead to nothing but lifting a rock only to hit its own feet”.
Australia’s decision to suspend the extradition treaty follows a similar move by Canada last week.