China has suspended delivery agreements for Hong Kong with the UK, Canada and Australia. Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said today at a press conference in Beijing. The three countries had previously stopped their extradition agreements with the Special Administrative Region in response to Hong Kong law.
Wang accused the three states of „politicizing“ legal cooperation. This „wrong approach“ would have „seriously damaged“ the cooperation in this area. The countries have used the security law as an excuse to „unilaterally terminate“ their agreements, Wang said.
Great Britain, Canada and Australia are partners of the „Five Eyes“ secret service network, which also includes the USA and New Zealand. New Zealand also suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong. The USA has also announced this step.
The controversial law allows the Chinese authorities in Hong Kong to crack down on all activities that they consider to threaten national security. Internationally, there is concern that the freedoms and democratic rights for Hong Kong that are contractually guaranteed by China will gradually be abolished with the help of the law.
