AGENCIES / Washington
The UNITED STATE has expressed grave concern over Hong Kong’s proposed amendments to its fugitive offenders ordinance.
State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters that it would permit Chinese authorities to request the extradition of individuals, if passed.
Ortagus said the peaceful demonstration by hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers a day earlier clearly shows the public’s opposition to the proposed amendments. She said the amended law will negatively impact the territory’s longstanding protections of human rights, fundamental freedoms, and democratic values, as enshrined in the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The spokesperson said US is also concerned that the amendments could damage Hong Kong’s business environment and subject its citizens residing in or visiting Hong Kong to China’s capricious judicial system.
Ortagus said, the continued erosion of the One Country, Two Systems framework puts at risk Hong Kong’s long-established special status in international affairs.
