The postponement of the election in Hong Kong has met with sharp criticism internationally and in the Chinese special administrative region. The democratic forces in the Asian metropolis today spoke of „electoral fraud“.
Germany suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong. Germany has repeatedly clarified the expectation „that China will comply with its obligations under international law“, said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD). This includes the right to free and fair elections to which the people of Hong Kong are entitled.
China sharply criticized the suspension of the extradition agreement. Beijing accuses Germany of a „serious push against international law“ and a serious interference in internal affairs.
Election postponement justified by CoV crisis
A few hours earlier, Hong Kong Prime Minister Carrie Lam announced that the parliamentary election planned for September in the former British Crown Colony would be postponed by a year. She justified the relocation with the risk of the corona virus, since the number of new infections in Hong Kong has recently increased again. Critics saw the election postponement as an attempt to prevent embarrassment, as there is great resentment about the government camp that is loyal to Beijing and the controversial new state security law.
