Australia steps up Hong Kong action in wake of China security law

AUSTRALIA’S Prime Minister, Scott Morrison has suspended the country’s extradition agreement with Hong Kong and extended visas for an estimated 10,000 Hong Kong people already in Australia because of concerns about the impact of the national security law that China imposed on the territory 10 days ago.

Morrison said the extradition pact was being suspended because the security legislation represents a fundamental change in circumstance.

The prime minister also said the visas of about 10,000 Hong Kong people already living in Australia would be extended by five years, and those on student or temporary work visas would be offered a pathway to permanent residency.

“There will be citizens of Hong Kong who may be looking to move elsewhere, to start a new life somewhere else,” Morrison said. It was not clear what Australia might offer to those people still in Hong Kong.

The national security law which bans what China calls secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces was imposed on the eve of the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. The move followed months of protests, some of which turned violent, over perceived mainland encroachment into the autonomy and freedoms that were agreed under the so- called one country, two systems framework.

Taking to Twitter yesterday morning, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Marise Payne said the legislation undermines the principle of one country, two systems.

Her comment followed discussions with the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. Winston Peters, New Zealand’s foreign minister, later said the country was reviewing all its relationship settings with Hong Kong.

The UK has already said it will give about three million Hong Kong people the right to live in the country and provide them with a pathway to citizenship.