Bill explanation enhanced: CS

May 25, 2019

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung:
We are not ignoring the views of the international community. If anything, in fact, the Secretary for Security and myself have been stepping up our outreaching efforts to articulate our case. We’ve got a very good case to articulate. It is the protection of people and also we are talking about justice in Hong Kong, and also making sure that Hong Kong would not become a haven for fugitive criminals. This is a very important point. We are doing it in concert with other international communities for a good cause, first of all, point number one.

Point two is that we are also following the UN treaty model in what we are doing, and also following the good practices of other countries that are already doing this. So we are not departing from what is happening elsewhere in the world, we are doing the right thing. But we must admit that we should step up our outreaching efforts, explanation and articulation, because a lot of misunderstandings, misconceptions and misgivings are arising from lack of understanding and unnecessary fears.

We should and we would certainly step up our efforts to explain our case and ease concerns. And in fact, in the next few weeks, we would still keep an open mind that if there are any practical suggestions which are viable, which can fulfil our dual objectives of solving the murder case in Taiwan and also filling the gaps in our existing regime, we stand ready to consider them. As regards the two moves by the European community, and the congress committee in the United States, I would describe them as regrettable and in fact unfounded and unwarranted.

The Government has been stepping up outreach efforts to ease concerns over the fugitive bill.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung made the statement today, saying a lot of misconceptions about the bill stem from a lack of understanding and unnecessary fears.

Mr Cheung told reporters: “We are not ignoring the views of the international community. If anything, in fact, the Secretary for Security and myself have been stepping up our outreaching efforts to articulate our case.

"We are also following the United Nations’ treaty model in what we are doing, and also following the good practices of other countries that are already doing this.

“In the next few weeks, we would still keep an open mind that if there are any practical suggestions which are viable, which can fulfil our dual objectives of solving the murder case in Taiwan and also filling the gaps in our existing regime, we stand ready to consider them.”

Mr Cheung added that moves to oppose the fugitive bill by the European Union and a US congressional committee were regrettable, unfounded and unwarranted.