Canada, UK views on HK law panned
SENIOR officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s (HKSAR’s) government criticised Canada on Saturday for putting politics above the rule of law by suspending an extradition treaty with the financial hub.
The Canadian government announced the move on Friday, a few days after the passage of a national security law for the HKSAR. It also halted sensitive military gear exports to the HKSAR and updated travel advisory for Canadians travelling to the city.
Speaking on a local radio programme on Saturday morning, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said Canada needs to explain the move.
He said every year the two jurisdictions extradite one or two suspects of serious crimes, adding that the enactment of the national security law would not affect normal people’s legitimate rights.
Meanwhile, China has categorically rejected accusations from the UK government about the national security law for Hong Kong, saying they are unwarranted while underscoring Beijing’s solemn position regarding the UK’s incorrect remarks and deeds.
The position of the Chinese government was outlined by Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming during a meeting with Foreign and Commonwealth Office permanent undersecretary Simon McDonald on Wednesday.
Liu said recent remarks by the UK about the national security law for the HKSAR were “irresponsible and unwarranted”.
“They represent a gross interference in China’s internal affairs and run counter to the important principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs endorsed by the UN Charter and the Joint Communique of the UK and China on exchange of ambassadors,” Liu said. “The Chinese side expresses its grave concern and strong opposition.”
China’s top diplomat in the UK said it is always the case that the central government of a country is responsible for upholding national security.
“The national security law for the HKSAR is timely, necessary and reasonable,” he said. “This is the fundamental solution that will end the chaos and restore order in Hong Kong. It demonstrates the inherent requirements of ‘one country, two systems’ and will ensure the steady and sustained implementation of this important policy.”
The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR was passed unanimously on Tuesday at the 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.
With 66 articles in six chapters, the law clearly defines the duties and government bodies of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security and lists four categories of offence – secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security. It also sets out potential penalties.
The law criminalises violations committed by anyone anywhere in the world. Article 38 says: “This law shall apply to offences under this law committed against the HKSAR from outside the region by a person who is not a permanent resident of the region.”
Liu explained that the law will target “a very few criminals but protect the vast majority of Hong Kong people” and said it “fulfils the aspiration of Hong Kong residents for a safer, better, and more prosperous Hong Kong, and answers their call for better security safeguards so that they can enjoy and exercise their statutory rights and freedom”.
He stressed the core content of the Sino-British Joint Declaration was to make sure that Hong Kong returns to China.
“Not a single word or paragraph in the Joint Declaration gives the UK any responsibility over Hong Kong after its handover,” said Liu.
He said the UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction, or right of supervision over Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China,” he said. “Its affairs are purely China’s internal affairs and brook no external interference.
“China remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The Chinese side urges the UK side to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are internal affairs of China.”
Hong Kong’s former chief executive Leung Chun-ying on Thursday took to Facebook to describe the UK’s offer to the city’s British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders as “cheap”.
He said: “The UK has made a cheap offer to BNO passport holders. To get permanent residence status, they are required to live in the UK for five years. After that, it will be another year of living there before they can apply for citizenship.
“During that time, they are not entitled to any government-funded social benefits. People who still want to emigrate under such conditions will certainly be subject to prejudice. Remember this – China does not allow dual citizenship.”