Ottawa—Canada on Friday suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong to protest the tough new national security law China has enacted in the financial hub.
Canada is also halting exports of sensitive military gear to Hong Kong and updating its travel advisory for the city so Canadians will know how the law might affect them, the foreign ministry said.
“Canada is a firm believer in the ‘one country, two systems’ framework,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, referring to the semi-autonomous model adopted after Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997.
“We’re extremely concerned about the situation in Hong Kong,” he told a press briefing.
Trudeau said the “one country, two systems” principle was important not just for the city’s 7.5 million people, but for the 300,000 Canadians who live there.
“That is why we are going to continue to look at steps we can take to ensure the safety of its citizens,” he said, mentioning possible new “immigration” measures, without any specifics.
The Chinese legislation enacted this week outlaws acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces.
Beijing has faced a groundswell of criticism, primarily from Western nations, over the law, which radically increases China’s control over Hong Kong.
China’s leaders say the suite of powers will restore stability after a year of sometimes violent protests and will not stifle freedoms.
But police have already begun arresting people for possessing protest flags and banners, and the government in Hong Kong has made clear certain political views, especially calls for independence, are now outlawed.
The law was enacted in a secretive process, without the participation of Hong Kong’s legislature, judiciary or people, and in violation of international obligations, said Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne.
“This process demonstrated disregard for Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the high degree of autonomy promised for Hong Kong under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework,” the minister said.
“Hong Kong’s role as a global hub was built on that foundation. Without it, Canada is forced to reassess existing arrangements.”
Relations between Canada and China have been tense because of extradition proceedings under way against an executive of the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, who is wanted in the US on suspicion of violating sanctions against Iran.
Trudeau recently rejected calls for him to intervene and trade that executive, Meng Wanzhou, for two Canadians held in China on espionage charges.
Meng was arrested in Canada in December 2018 at the request of US authorities.
The two Canadians — former diplomat Michael Kovrig, and Michael Spavor, a consultant and businessman — were arrested in China just days later.
Their detention is considered in the West as retaliation for Meng’s arrest — a claim Beijing has repeatedly denied.
