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The US has signed an extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an attempt to pressure Beijing
The US has halted its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, the latest move to push Beijing after imposing a controversial national security law on former British soil.
It is one of three bilateral treaties that were suspended on Wednesday.
The US State Department said the security law had “crushed” the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
Last month, President Donald Trump also ended Hong Kong’s preferential trade and diplomatic status with the US.
“The Chinese Communist Party chose to crush the freedoms and autonomy of the people of Hong Kong,” tweeted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The move was expected because the U.S. imposed a fleet of sanctions in the wake of the new law.
The Hong Kong government later responded, saying “strongly objected to and regretted” the action by the US “, which is widely seen as a move to create problems in China-US relations, with Hong Kong as a pawn”.
What are the latest measures?
They treat “the surrender of fleeing offenders, the transfer of convicted persons and reciprocal tax exemption derived from the international operation of ships”, spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus, state faction of the state department, in a statement.
The suspension of reciprocal tax exemptions is likely to take a major hit on Hong Kong companies – many of these companies had relied on such exemptions for relief.
Other nations, such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia, have drawn up extradition treaties in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Hong Kong’s Chiefrie Carrie Lam and 10 other top officials from Hong Kong and mainland China.
- Trump hits China with order on trade in Hong Kong
- US imposes sanctions on Hong Kong chief executive
Also on Wednesday, Mr Trump praised Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who was detained under the law last week.
- The Hong Kong rebel mogul and pro-democracy voice
In words tied to China angrily, he called the 71-year-old Mr Lai – a leading pro-democracy voice and a supporter of protests that erupted in Hong Kong last year – “a brave man”.
What does Hong Kong Security Law Mean?
The US sees the security law as a threat to the freedoms that Hong Kong was guaranteed under the surrender agreement.
The special status was agreed between China and the former colonial power of Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, before sovereignty returned to Beijing in 1997.
- China’s new law: Why does Hong Kong worry?
The law – which bans criticism of the Chinese government – is the biggest change in the political landscape since Hong Kong.
Critics say the effect and freedom of speech is effectively diminished. But China has said the new law will restore stability to its territory after a year of unrest.
