Lam Rejects Sunset Clause For Extradition Law

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has made clear that the government will not accept a so-called sunset clause for its proposed extradition law change.

Twenty-four pan-democratic lawmakers on Tuesday called on the administration to include such a clause so that the amendment would just work for a Taiwan murder case and would expire after this is resolved.

But Lam said on Saturday that this simply was not practical, as the government not only wants to resolve the Taiwan case, but also is “determined to improve” the existing system.

The proposed legislation will allow one-off extradition deals on a case-by-case basis with any jurisdiction Hong Kong doesn’t already have a long-term agreement with, but critics say there are risks of Hongkongers being handed over to the mainland, even if they are wanted for political reasons.

Lam brushed aside the concerns.

She said those who oppose the law change keep saying the proposal should not include the mainland, and she believes they are “very biased” and are doing it with an ulterior motive.

Lam said this is “very regrettable”, adding if people keep opposing any policies linked to the mainland, it would be detrimental to the long-term implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” princple.

She also called on foreign governments or organisations to “read the proposal carefully” before expressing a view, instead of “repeating whatever other people say”.