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Australia suspends extradition agreement with Hong Kong in response to new security law

A march of anti-extradition bill protesters in Hong Kong last year - Reuters
A march of anti-extradition bill protesters in Hong Kong last year - Reuters

Australia has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended visa terms, including a path to permanent residency for Hong Kong people, in response to China imposing a draconian national security law.

The two countries have been embroiled in a wider row after Canberra – along with many other nations – pressed for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus alleging a Chinese cover-up of the pandemic.

Australia was also the first country to reject using Chinese telecoms firm Huawei in its 5G networks over security concerns, upsetting Beijing.

Scott Morrison, the Australian prime minister, said: “Our decision to suspend the extradition agreement with Hong Kong represents an acknowledgement of the fundamental change of circumstances in relation to Hong Kong, because of the new security law.”

Australia’s move to suspend its extradition agreement could increase pressure on the UK to do the same, despite repeated threats of retaliation from Beijing. Canada was the first country to suspend extradition with Hong Kong last Friday.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks about the changes at Parliament House - Getty
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks about the changes at Parliament House - Getty

The new law “undermines” Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, a “shared view of many countries,” said Mr Morrison. These changes mean “there will be citizens of Hong Kong who may be looking to move elsewhere, to start a new life.”

As such, Australia also announced visa extensions, allowing Hong Kong students graduating in the country and holders of temporary work visas to stay for an additional five years, and apply for permanent residency. Future successful applicants will be granted the same terms.

China rejected Australia’s announcement, saying it would “not accept this,” and warned of further damage to bilateral relations. Beijing “reserves the right to take further action,” said a foreign ministry spokesperson.

Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong last Tuesday, unveiling its contents as it came into force. The law criminalises secession, separatism, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, which are punishable by up to life in prison.

Many fear it grants the government and police too much power, as suspects could face trial in mainland China, where opaque courts have a 99.9 per cent conviction rate. It also allows secretive mainland security agencies to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time.

Books by pro-democracy leaders, such as Joshua Wong, are already being pulled from public libraries, schools and store shelves, as they are now deemed to violate the national security law.

The education bureau has also banned all forms of political expression from public schools, including the protest anthem, “Glory to Hong Kong.”

“Schools must not allow students to play, sing or broadcast it in schools,” said Kevin Yeung, the secretary of education.

The government has also proposed that civil servants employed onward from July 1 in “crucial” or “sensitive” positions be required to swear allegiance in writing to the city – an appropriate stipulation under the new law.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party has repeatedly justified the national security law as a means of restoring stability in Hong Kong, which has been rocked by pro-democracy protests periodically since the former British colony was returned to Beijing in 1997.

Mass demonstrations hit a peak last year as anger grew over Beijing’s encroaching influence on Hong Kong in defiance of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, an agreement meant to uphold the city’s treasured freedoms, unseen on mainland China.