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The United Kingdom government in major foreign policy move has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong immediately and indefinitely, weeks after China imposed a controversial national security law on the former British colony that gave Beijing sweeping new powers over the Asian business hub.
According to news agency report, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons that the new National Security Law had significantly changed key assumptions underpinning the extradition treaty arrangements with Hong Kong.
He said the UK was particularly concerned about Articles 55 to 59 of the new security law, which gives mainland Chinese authorities the ability to assume jurisdiction over certain cases and try those cases in mainland Chinese courts.
Raab also confirmed the government would extend its arms embargo — which has been in place with China since 1989 — to Hong Kong, stopping the UK exporting equipment, such as firearms, smoke grenades and shackles to the region.
The controversial national security legislation, imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong on July 1, gives China sweeping new powers over the city.
The UK handed Hong Kong back to China on July 1, 1997 but, as part of an agreement signed at the time, it enjoys some freedoms not seen in the Communist Party-ruled mainland.
