The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, in accordance with the instruction of the Central People’s Government, today issued notices to the Canadian, Australian and UK consulates to suspend the agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with these countries.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it is an international practice to safeguard national security through the enactment of laws.

It pointed out that Canada, Australia and the UK have respectively put in place legislation and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard their national security and sovereignty.

However, these countries have unilaterally suspended the agreements on surrender of fugitive offenders with the Hong Kong SAR using the enactment of the National Security Law in Hong Kong as an excuse, it said.

This smacks of political manipulation and double standards.

It is also a gross interference in China’s internal affairs and a grave violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, the Hong Kong SAR Government said.

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly objects to their moves, adding that their wrongful acts in politicising juridical co-operation have seriously damaged the basis of such co-operation between the city and the three countries.

All along, with the authorisation and assistance of the Central People’s Government, the Hong Kong SAR Government has conducted close and effective law enforcement co-operation with Canada, Australia and the UK under the legal framework of surrender of fugitive offenders and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters agreements based on the principle of mutual assistance and reciprocity.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will, as always, uphold the principle of mutual assistance and reciprocity and carry out law enforcement co-operation with other members of the international community in accordance with the law.