China has suspended Hong Kong’s extradition treaties with the UK, Canada and Australia, a tit-for-tat response that signals the latest breakdown in diplomatic relations between Beijing and the West.
The decision was announced by China’s foreign affairs spokesman on Tuesday, the state-controlled China Global Television Network reported.
It comes days after Boris Johnson’s government suspended the UK’s extradition agreement with Hong Kong, in response to China imposing a new national security law in the territory.
The legislation, introduced on June 30, reduces the city’s autonomy and gives sweeping powers to punish protesters.
At a daily briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that the three countries' earlier decision to suspend extradition agreements was a gross interference in China's internal affairs.
On Tuesday the New Zealand government also announced it would also suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
