London is Loosening Ties With Hong Kong After Chinese Interference

The United Kingdom is suspending the extradition treaty with its former crown colony of Hong Kong in response to growing Chinese interference in the city.

 

Foreign Minister Dominic Raab announced the measure, which will take effect immediately, in parliament. Besides, the arms embargo that applies to China will also apply to the city.

The United Kingdom transferred Hong Kong to China in 1997. The countries had agreed that the metropolis would get special status within China. It is known as “one country, two systems”.

Hong Kong has its parliament and Western legal system. Critics believe that the special status of the metropolis is undermined by a new security law introduced by Beijing.

London has also criticized this law. It would run counter to the agreements made on the status of the metropolis.

The new security law places high penalties on separatism, among other things. Famous slogans like “liberated Hong Kong” are now banned.