China Condemns Canadian Moves Over New HK Law

China’s embassy in Canada has lashed out at Ottawa for ‘grossly interfering’ with Beijing’s new national security law for Hong Kong, after Canadian authorities announced they were suspending the country’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said Canada will not permit the export of sensitive military items to Hong Kong, and are looking at additional measures, including those pertaining to immigration.

Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne condemned the "secretive" way the legislation had been enacted and said Canada had been forced to reassess existing arrangements.

"This is a significant step back in terms of freedom and liberty... we had been hoping Beijing would listen to the international community and reverse course.”

The Chinese embassy responded by saying it “firmly opposes” Canada’s “unwarranted comments” on the law, which it says “grossly interfered in China's internal affairs.”

The statement said the new law would not only provide a strong institutional guarantee for upholding national security, it would also safeguard “lasting security, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, and ensuring the steady implementation of ‘One Country, Two Systems’”.

“The implementation of the said law will strengthen Hong Kong's legal framework, ensure social order, improve business environment, and benefit Hong Kong citizens and international investors”, it added.

The embassy said Canada should view the new law in a fair and objective manner, and immediately stop interfering in China’s domestic affairs. (Additional reporting by Reuters)