'Pelosi Concerned About Extradition Law Change'

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has reportedly expressed concern about the SAR's plan to amend extradition laws, saying the move could threaten the safety of Americans and the interests of US businesses.

Her reported comment came during a meeting in Washington with Hong Kong's pro-democracy figures.

A press release issued by the Civic Party said former chief secretary Anson Chan, along with pro-democracy lawmakers Dennis Kwok and Charles Mok, rounded off the last day of a visit to Washington with a meeting with Pelosi – as well as officials from the office of the US Secretary of State.

It said Pelosi was deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Hong Kong, adding that she and numerous US politicians agreed that the One Country, Two Systems principle is under tremendous pressure due to increasing intervention by Beijing.

The speaker of the House of Representatives was also quoted as saying that she was concerned about the SAR government's plan to amend laws to allow one-off extraditions to places like the mainland, saying it would pose "inevitable detriments" to the personal safety of Americans and the interest of US enterprises.

The mainland tabloid, The Global Times, meanwhile, described the opposition camp's visit to Washington – and an earlier meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence – as "despicable".

In a commentary, the tabloid said the US was simply using Hong Kong as a pawn in its trade war with China. It said a photo of Anson Chan and Mike Pence had a clock in the background showing 12:30 in the afternoon, meaning Pence met them only briefly before rushing off to lunch.

The commentary added that the opposition camp is losing its hold on the Hong Kong public as society becomes increasingly mature, and it said the pan-dems should focus their efforts on strengthening the SAR’s role as a financial centre.