Australia’s prime minister says his country has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended visas for Hong Kong residents in response to China’s imposition of a tough national security law on the semi-autonomous territory.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced a range of visas that will be extended from two to five years and offers of pathways to permanent residency visas.
The move comes after China bypassed Hong Kong’s Legislative Council to impose the sweeping security legislation without public consultation.
Critics view it as a further deterioration of freedoms promised to the former British colony, The Chinese Embassy in Canberra accused Australia of a serious violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations.
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