Fugitive Law 'an Attack' On HK Values: Patten

Hong Kong's last governor Chris Patten has lashed out on the SAR government's proposed fugitive law change, calling it "a direct attack on the principle of one country two systems and Hong Kong’s autonomy under the rule of law".

In a statement issued on Saturday, Patten dismissed officials' claims that the proposed amendments to the extradition laws are essential to close a loophole.

The amendments will allow the government to negotiate one-off extradition deals on a case-by-case basis with places it doesn't already have a long-term agreement with, including the mainland and Taiwan.

The government insists the change is necessary to plug a legal loophole exposed by the murder of a Hong Kong woman in Taiwan allegedly by her Hong Kong boyfriend, who returned to the SAR and cannot be sent back to the island to face trial.

"These changes are an assault on Hong Kong's values, stability and security. They create fear and uncertainty for business at a time when we should all be working to safeguard Hong Kong's reputation as one of the world’s greatest business and financial centres," said Patten.

He added political activism will be "put in danger".

"They further make it difficult to explain to the outside world that Beijing can be trusted to keep its word and that Hong Kong is different from mainland Chinese cities and must be treated as such," he said.