Australia angers China with offer of safe haven for Hongkongers

AUSTRALIA has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to China’s new national security law in the territory.

It also announced plans to extend visas for Hong Kong students and temporary workers for an additional five years, offering pathways to permanent residency for thousands of people.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the decision to suspend the extradition pact was taken because the security law “constitutes a fundamental change of circumstances” in Hong Kong.

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 coronavirus, alleging a Chinese cover-up.

Australia was also the first country to reject using Chinese telecoms firm Huawei in its 5G networks because of security concerns. Canada was the first country to suspend extradition with Hong Kong last Friday despite threats of retaliation from Beijing. The decision could increase pressure on the UK to do the same.

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”.

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 spokesman.

The national security law, imposed on Hong Kong last week after longrunning pro-democracy protests, criminalises subversion.

Many fear it grants the government and police too much power, as suspects could face trial in mainland China, where secretive courts have a 99.9 per cent conviction rate.

It also allows 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 shops as they are now deemed to violate the national security law.

The government has also proposed that civil servants employed in “crucial” or “sensitive” positions be required to swear allegiance to the city in writing.

‘There will be citizens of Hong Kong who may be looking to move elsewhere and start a new life’