Australia suspends Hong Kong extradition agreement

Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison on Thursday said the country is suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong after Beijing imposed a new security law last week. In the briefing, Morrison said the new national security law was a fundamental change of circumstances.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison further announced that Australia also offered to provide five-year visas for about 10,000 Hong Kong residents in the country. They can later apply for permanent residents as well. It is not clear how many residents will get the extensions.

Britain, too, has allowed Hong Kong residents to live and work in the UK for five years. Meanwhile, Canada has suspected its extradition agreement with Hong Kong and is looking at other options including migration.

Australia had already formally notified Hong Kong and advised the Chinese authorities of the decision.